Tips for Holiday Pictures

Yesterday we had our family portrait session with our friend Mike Olbinski (a peek above), and it reminded me that many families this time of year struggle with picking out their outfits for pictures. Afterall, these images tend to be the annual family update that Grandma and Grandpa SO look forward to every year. You want to be sure everyone looks their best, right? So, a couple things to keep in mind...

1. Pick a color scheme that uses a minimum of three colors and at most five. This will ensure there is enough variety that you aren't matching and yet keep everything cohesive. Keep in mind the location of your shoot. Pick colors that will stand out against white snow, green grass or brick buildings. (Image above by Mike Olbinski. Styled by AVE Styles)

2. Layer your looks so you can have more variety in your photos. For example, add a caridgan or vest that you can take on and off. Sometimes you just don't know how things will photograph. Maybe the dress you chose doesn't make your arms look the best. Dun da da dunnnn!! Cardigan will save the day!

3. A bit camera shy? Use props to keep your mind off the camera. It can be as simple as a cup of coffee sitting at table with your family. If you're a bit more festive, you could bring a garland or Christmas lights and wrap yourself up in them. The picture above was from a fun party Melissa Jill hosted a ways back. The garland was a blast to play with.

4. Keep your Christmas card design in mind. I love ordering from Tiny Prints every year. That have so many cute designs to choose from. But you'll want to make sure the colors for your clothes complement the colors in your card. It will make everything look EVEN better in the presentation.

5. Get your hair done or makeup done...or both! I'm not so great at doing my hair. So, I made sure to schedule a hair cut and style two days prior to the shoot. Not great at makeup? Head to the makeup counter and get it done. You probably have to buy some fun stocking stuffers or gifts for some gals in your life. If they make you buy product that is the perfect way to kill two birds with one stone.

Emma Magazine

So, there's a new love in my life. Her name is Emma, and she is a magazine. Why do I like this particular mag so much? Well, the whole concept behind Emma Magazine is a, "how-to guide for the modern domestic." Basically, if Martha Stewart was in her 20's and developed a magazine this is what it would look like. It's a good read full of recipes, beauty how-to's, party ideas, cool craft ideas, fashion tips and then some!

Of course, you love something even more when you put your heart into it, and I'm happy to say that I'll be regularly contributing style ideas for the publication, so, of course, I love it!

The first issue comes out next week. EEK! I'm so excited to share it with you. In the meantime, you can see some behind the scenes images by liking the magazine on Facebook, as well as following us on Twitter and Instagram.

Stay tuned for more!

I Luv Luvocracy

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So, you guys already know I'm a complete Pinterest fanatic. Well, I wanted to share with you yet another cool website that allows you to not only categorize all of the things that you are loving right now so that you can be inspired and/or buy things down the line, but it also lets you be, if you will, an owner of your own shop.

Luvocracy is a brand new site that just launched, and they're changing how we shop. Instead of browsing all of your favorite stores online, why not browse the online shops of all of your friends?! I know that recommendations from my friends mean a lot to me, and I love their personal style. Why wouldn't I want to buy something from their shop? Luvocracy has created a way for you to add anything that you see while you're shopping online to your page or "shop." And when you do that, it is then shared with all of the people that "trust" your taste - in other words, follow your recommendations.

Once you've added an item to your shop, you no longer have to go back to that website to buy it or even click an image and get directed back to the website. You can just buy it directly from your shop page. COOL, huh?! AND...whenever you or someone buys an item that you have recommended, you get a commission from the sale. Yep, you get to make money while you shop and share your latest finds. Why wouldn't you sign up, right? =)

Sound like something you want to dive into?! You should! 

Winter Wardrobe Musts - Bootights

One of my favorite things about fall and winter is getting to wear boots. To me, they are the shoe that embodies function, style and comfort in one. The ONLY teeny weenie thing that can make me not enjoy my boots is having to wear bulky socks over my tights. I especially hate that feeling of your sock starting to come off in your boot and then you have to unzip the whole thing, take your foot out and fix it.

Well, there's a stylish solution out on the market that you'll love - Bootights. I don't know why I didn't think of it because it's simply genius. It's socks and tights in one so you don't have to put on two different items and wash two different items. Bootights also act as shape-wear, so you don't have to worry about those holiday treats you've been munching showing.

They have all different colors and patterns. My favorite are these herringbone tights. I can wear them with my tall boots or my booties without the sock showing.

If you're starting to do some holiday shopping and you're looking for some good stocking stuffers, these are perfect. Seriously, stockings for your stocking!

Images by Sara Nevels.

Elle's Nursery

Earlier this year I had a list of home improvement goals, and for the first couple of months I was doing great at attacking them. Then along came baby and a baby room became number one priority. I had SOOOO much fun conceptualizing her nursery, pinning things on Pinterest, putting together her inspiration board, and of course, shopping for all of the decor. I even found my inner-DIY girl, and created a rad polka dot wall. WOOT!

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I wish I had been better at taking before photos, but I will say I have some pretty awesome after photos taken by my friend Mike Olbinski.

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I had a lot of help from friends and family in creating this space for Elle. And having the hands of people that I love help create a room for my baby girl makes me love the nursery even more. My friends painted the walls and a cute growth stick.

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My father-in-law repainted my cedar hope chest that I had when I was a little girl.

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My sister-in-law created a mobile, the pennant you see on the crib, and these SUPER cool balls of string.

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The nursery has a couple of second-hand pieces. I found an old rocking chair at a thrift store and had it reupholstered. I also found a colorful oriental rug at a consignment store in Sedona. And my favorite find, was a mid-century modern credenza that I'm using as a changing table for now, but can't wait to put it in my living-room one day. =)

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I was so excited about putting the nursery together I completed it about two months before she was born. And up until I went into labor I would sit in her rocking chair and just dream about what it was going to be like to meet her. Now that she is here, I look forward to spending time with her in this happy room, and I think she is going to love growing up in it.

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My advice to people creating a nursery, make it a special, happy place because you're going to spend MANY hours there.