candice mclean

Posted at 09:16 AM in Candice McLean Photography, Family, Portraiture | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 03, 2013

Agnes Obel | The Curse

Agnes Obel

Posted at 02:30 PM in M U S I C | Permalink | Comments (0)

October is here already. EEK! This year has blown by and I have so much left to accomplish from my 2013 list. Okay so to encourage myself to stayed focused (there's that one little word reappearing) and to stay inspired, I'm writing a list of goals for this month. Here we go:

1. complete 8 new recipes maybe something pumpkin like these yummy looking pumpkin bars

2. set a goal to photograph 5 families this month (already have 2 this saturday!)

3. paint my daughter's dresser with the yummy Annie Sloan paint i bought in the beginning of the summer (yeah i procrastinate. don't judge.)

4. go through the closets and dressers and prepare for Classy Kids Consignment sale

5. purge some things from my own closet and visit Sequels and Clothes Mentor to sell

6. checkout Poshmark to sell some goods online

7. run 3x a week - get those running shoes on and just do it!

8. finish the redesign of my blog - coming soon!

9. paint some pumpkins - checkout these amazingly gorgeous lacelike pumpkins by the awesome alisa burke

10. visit a local farm for some pumpkin hunting fun with the family

What goals have you set? Any fall inspired pumpkin-ish craft projects? New recipes to try? Things to see and do in your area? Tell me.

Posted at 07:58 AM in Goals, L I S T S | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 20, 2013

Four Fun Outfits for Young Girls | Old Navy

Often times a client will ask for styling advice. Above are a few options I put together for a young girl age 9 for a future photography session. All of the pieces are from Old Navy.

If you're looking to create an esemble for your family session, here are some ideas to consider.

1. Color. I look for a great color or colors that will compliment the skin tone. Start with one great outfit and build the rest of the family's outfits around those colors. I like to stay close in value and/or one color family to create harmony.

2. Pattern. Don't shy away from pattern. I love to see a person's personality come to life with their choice of style. Choose patterns that compliment one another and don't force it. If you're mad about plaid, then go for it!

3. Variety. I prefer families to have variety and not be so "matchy". For example, don't put each of your kiddos in the same exact plaid shirt. Eeek! Mix it up and keep it real.

4. Include your family. Include your children especially when choosing their outfits. You'll have a happier kiddo and a better experience with the session if everyone feels part of the decision process.

5. Layers. Layer tees under blouses, blouses or shirts under sweaters, leggings under skirts or dresses, jackets, scarves, etc. Coordinate the colors to create repetition. Choose colors or patterns that compliment one another. For example, blue and orange are great complimentary colors.

Posted at 11:37 AM in Fashion & Beauty | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 27, 2013

Back to School and Let's PURGE | sweet everyday life

Though I cherish and love our summer breaks, I have to admit I am ready for the new school year and our routine. Speaking of routines... Ours has been thrown into overdrive. I filled the calendar with all the practices, games, tournaments, school projects, field trips, back to school nights... The craziness has begun! However, I'm looking foward to a great school year.

The kiddos started school yesterday... Roan is a freshman in highschool! How has this happened??? She was just a baby and now she is in high school! It's a great high school, and I'm so excited for her newest journey; but still, high school!?! And my other three little guys aren't so little anymore either... Tate is in 7th, Connor in 5th and Carys in 4th. It's going to be a busy, busy school year. We have been truly blessed with great schools, educators and administrators. Thank you God for this amazing opportunity. Our children have moved back to back for the last 4 years so having the opportunity to stay in one school more than one year is a big deal. This will be Carys' first time in a school for a consecutive year. Yes... she completed kingergarten, 1st, 2nd and 3rd each in different school.

With school beginning, I have the intense desire to purge. Over the last few weeks, the kiddos and I went through their closets and dressers to purge the unwanted and the outgrown. I sold many, many items at Classy Kids Consignment and made over $300. I was thrilled! I will continue with this process of purging and trying to sell at the consignment sale. I'll admit, it was a lot of work, but I think the next one will be easier now that I have the system down. The next sale will be Oct 13-17 in Manassas. It's Fall and Winter and we're already prepping. We even went through the toys! The kiddos were happy to help too.

I'm still in the mindset of PURGE, PURGE, PURGE. I don't want to stop. I went through my own closet and I'm heading to a women's consignment store this week to see if I can make a little cash on my unwanted goods. Whatever doesn't sell, I'm donating.

Taking it further. It's not just the closets. I'm feeling overwhelmed with everything. I feel almost claustrophobic in my house. Lately, I've been looking at each room with a desire to minimalize. My goal is to not sacrifice design but gain more function. I'm on a mission to declutter, purge and get organized.

How about you? What are you doing now that your kiddos have returned to school?

Posted at 01:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 13, 2013

Sweet Zinnias | Photography

Posted at 10:24 AM in Candice McLean Photography | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 30, 2013

Beautiful Creatures | Summer 2013

The beautiful creatures above live at The Florida Aquarium located in Tampa, FL.

Several years ago, we lived in Brandon, Florida (2001-2004). We lived pretty close to the aquarium. Because of the hot and humid climate, we spent many days at the Aquarium. Wow. Time sure flies. At that time, Roan ranged in age from 2 yrs to 4 yrs, Tate age 2 months to 2 yrs and baby Connor was around 18 months when we left Florida for Virginia. We sure had fun visiting some of our old stomping grounds.

Posted at 02:17 PM in Our Family | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 27, 2013

Dear Void | Finding My Own Path

I've watched You've Got Mail many, many times. Too many times to count. I love the dialogue of Nora Ephron. She gets in my head so easily. So I find it funny. I find it funny that over and over I've watched this movie and just the other day, one thing popped into my mind. It was there churning and resonating like a pile of gooey annoying gum that you've stepped into that refuses to release from the bottom of your shoe. So, I googled those words and found it under quotes on goodreads.com. I liked it and I continued to think.

“Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life - well, valuable, but small - and sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it, or because I haven't been brave? So much of what I see reminds me of something I read in a book, when shouldn't it be the other way around? I don't really want an answer. I just want to send this cosmic question out into the void. So good night, dear void.
― Nora Ephron from "You've Got Mail"

You know that sort of thinking that causes a lump in your throat, an ache in your heart and a feeling of emptiness in your gut.. Right? Can you relate?

Then I asked myself... Do I live an ordinary life because I choose to or because I'm scared to dare a little more and really live my dreams? Do I lack the luster to stick it out? Do I lack the creativity? Do I lack the discipline? Shitty reality can really smack you down. So where do I go from here?

Like the quote... I don't really want an answer. Well not from an outside source because I know that only I can truly answer those questions.

Some things I know for sure... I love my life. I love my husband. I love my children. I love creating. Unfortunately, I feel that I've made excuses along the way. I haven't truly lived up to my own dreams. I've wanted my own career, my own identity. Somehow along the way I lost my own path. I chose to follow my husband and his career. I chose to stay at home to raise my children and I would not change that for anything. I've treasured my time at home with my children immensely. The truth is... I'm growing older and I have not accomplished all of my personal dreams and aspirations. So how do I get from here to there. Slowly, I'm working on it.

I do have faith. I do believe that God will lead me and I'll choose the path. The right path for me.

Posted at 06:00 AM in Goals, Quotes | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 26, 2013

ten things i'm loving | right now

1. love this video as seen above | marimekko fashion show with the finnish ballet

2. adore this purse

3. digging these boots

4. love this quote

5. listening to their music

6. reading this book

7. plans to try this recipe + this recipe

8. planning to visit this museum with the kiddos next week

9. enjoying this blog & her photography

10. love love love these photos | i miss living in japan

Walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous, the cheerful, the planners, the doers, the successful people with their heads in the clouds and their feet on the ground. Let their spirit ignite a fire within you to leave this world better than when you found it.

― Wilferd Peterson

Posted at 12:33 PM in L I S T S | Permalink | Comments (0)