Yay!  One of my photographs from the Alice in Wonderland photo shoot–styled by The TomKat Studio and featuring the talent of SO many fabulous artists–was a featured photo on the Martha Stewart Dreamers into Doers webpage!  SO fun and exciting that they loved it, too!  We had SUCH a blast at the shoot…don’t forget to check out my original blog post to see more of the shoot or visit The TomKat Studio blog!

xoxo,

laura

“But then, shall I never get any older than I am now? That’ll be a comfort, one way — never to be an old woman — but then — always to have lessons to learn!”

~Alice, Alice in Wonderland

Amazingness.  Not a word, I know, but when I think of this weekend’s Alice in Wonderland shoot, I just think to myself…amazingness.  Yep.    The past month was spent planning and organizing and dreaming of this shoot, and it was simply awesome to see it all come together.  So many incredibly talented designers and creative women were involved in this endeavor, and I want to thank each and every one of them.  I know you will love checking out their websites and blogs to learn more and to see more of their fabulous talent.

The tablescape was styled by the ultra-talented Kim of The TomKat Studio.  She did such an amazing job, don’t you think? She turned this dream tea party into a reality!!! 

So, without further ado, Alice welcomes you to her bright, fun, modern + chic Wonderland!

amazing vendors

Tablescape Styling | Kim, The TomKat Studio

Hair | Traci Rogers, Assistant Brittany Martin

Hair Accessories + fabric floral rings | Dolce Vita Mia

Floral Arrangements + some vases/accessories | Zuzu’s Petals

Some tablescape styling items | Kim of The TomKat Studio’s own collection, including items from Homegoods

Vintage Bottlecap Necklaces | Belle Chateau

Party Printables | The TomKat Studio

Styling + creation of Mad Hatter mustache ensemble + accessories | Grace, Finley and Oliver

Vintage birdcages + some styling accessories | Belle Chateau

Cupcakes + cookies | Decadent Delights

Hanging lanterns, white poms, polka dot plates, cups + napkins | Polka Dot Market

Rosette tanks + chiffon ruffle tanks | Finley + Oliver

Clothing:

Boutique Mia | Three floral tuxedo dresses

Classy Sassy Girls | turquoise ruffle dress

Lillipops | Vintage camera dress + leggings

Little Mave | Lavender bloomers

Pink Confetti Boutique | Polka Dot tea party ruffle dress with hair accessory

Suburban Stash | Mad Hatter jean skirt/tee/legging ensemble, suspender dress

Sweet Plume | Leading Lady peacock feather dress

Three Yellow Starfish | teal + black floral knot dress, ruffle bloomers

Tiny Belles Boutique | Tutus

I recently photographed some In the Rose Garden dresses and it was so fun to see these cuties in them!  The fabrics are so fun and vibrant and they are just perfect for your little princess.   Isn’t it SO much fun to dress up little girls?  I adore my son, and when I find cute boy things it rocks, but there is just something so fun to dressing up a little girl.  My Addison has even learned how to say, “Preee-ty”, and often says it over and over as she touches dresses and clothes.  It starts young, people! 

Check out the beautiful designs at In the Rose Garden for  yourself! 

Turquoise beanie with melon bloom courtesy of the fab Dolce Vita Mia.

xoxo,

laura

“Divas are not made, they are born.”

{fiona apple}

I recently had the opportunity to shoot the new line of vintage headbands for Classy Sassy Girls, and our model Miss Z was a custom request from designer/owner Danielle.  Don’t you think she just rocks these gorgeous headbands?  I first fell in love with the ahhhmazingly chic ruffle dresses from Classy Sassy Girls, and when I saw these stunning headbands, I felt the same way.  Aren’t they seriously to die for?  Love!!  Fan CSG on Facebook + check out more of her fab designs!

xoxo,

laura

Our amazing and talented designers, boutiques + shops:

Belle Chateau

Boutique Mia

Cake Hole Project

Classy Sassy Girls

Decadent Delights

Dolce Vita Mia

Finley and Oliver

Hair by Traci Rogers of Hair Unlimited

Lillipops Designs

Little Mave

Pink Confetti Boutique

Suburban Stash

Sweet Plume

Tiny Belles Boutique

The TomKat Studio

Three Yellow Starfish

Zuzu’s Petals

Don’t forget–email a creative photo of your daughter showcasing her fab personality + 1-2 sentences {in her own words} telling us why she wants to strut her stuff + her current dress/clothing size + age to laura@laurawinslowphotography.com by Monday, June 21st to be considered.

Thanks so much!  Chosen models will be notified by Thursday, June 24th.  Can’t wait to see those cuties!!

xoxo,

laura, mia + kim

Meet {rockin’ mama} Katie Hughes + her beautiful family.  Her fabulosity goes way beyond running her company, Vintage Rose Wraps. 

{Photo courtesy Phileo Photography}

When her friend Sharla contacted me to let me know about Katie and to recommend her for a {rockin’ mama} feature, I was instantly intrigued.  Her wraps are fun, colorful and so unique.

Don’t you agree?

{model photos © Little Wunders Photography}

When I visited the Vintage Rose Wraps website, what instantly stood out to me was the range of choices!  They are vintage with a bit of funky thrown in.  So lovely!  On a side note, East Valley locals, you can get your Vintage Rose Wrap fix at two local shops, It’s a Girl Thing Boutique and Designer Boulevard. 

{Photo © Phileo Photography}

Scroll down to read all about Katie, her companies (Yep!  She has TWO!) and what’s so special about her toes. 

Please tell us a little about your business and how you developed the concept for it?

I have always had the entrepreneurial bug!  As a child growing up, we had a family cottage industry and I learned to love the idea of using personal resources to create something you are proud of.  When I was newly married, I decided to start a little handwriting business that would grow to be a favorite little business venture of mine.  It combined two loves.  Artichokes and Ink. {www.artichokeink.com} and it still continues to be a fun little avenue to share some creativity and talent with brides, charitable organizations and companies from all over the world.

But because I already had a business in the works, I didn’t set out to make a business of Vintage Rose Wraps.  Actually—I happened upon it.  My sister had given me some headbands—I liked the concept and so did my friends.  We set out to make some of our own.  And from that—really things just sort of rolled from there.  I made a few and gave them as gifts, and it wasn’t too long before others wanted me to make them for themselves.  The rest has just sort of fallen into place.

With headbands all the rage these days, it makes sense to include these as a part one’s wardrobe because they are so easy and effortless—and they don’t hurt like a lot of the headbands out there do.  They’re just enough to make you feel young and hip—without going too far out on the “style” limb.

How did you choose your business name?

Honestly, it just popped into my mind one day—and after thinking about it, I just knew it was perfect.

What makes your business so fab and awesome?

I think one thing that makes these headbands so fun is that they appeal to women, teens, and children.  With all the style pulls out there—I think everyone is looking for something that makes them feel good on the inside and out.  My favorite thing that people tell me is how they feel when they wear them.  And that makes selling them “fab” and “awesome”.

How many sweeties do you have and what are their ages?

I have 4 AWESOME kids:  3 girls and 1 boy, ranging in ages from 10 to 21 months.

How do you make sure that you are a rockin’ mama to your kiddos while still running your own business?

In all honesty, keeping everything together at home while having a business has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done.  There is a balance that I strive to attain—and sometimes life is a little out of balance with home and family while I’m focusing on certain parts of the business.  I try and make up for it while giving full focus and quality time with my kids when I am able.  I try and be present in their lives—when they come home from school or during family meal times.  I try and seek opportunities for teaching them things I want them to know—in the car driving carpools or at bedtime.  And we set aside time every week to work together and play together as a family.

But really the unsung hero in all of this is my loving and patient husband who is so supportive and picks up where I am lacking.  He is an incredible man and has a keen ability to sense when I need some extra support.  He’s often told me how much satisfaction he finds in me using my talents—so I think that is why he is so willing to love and support me with our children when I am lacking.

What is your biggest challenge as a work-at-home mama?

TIME.  Finding time that doesn’t take away from the quality time I mentioned.  I try and wake up early, work during naptime, or after the kids go to bed.

Do you have a website/shop/boutique?

YES!  I am very excited about my new website that opened a couple of weeks ago!

www.vintagerosewraps.com

Also, I have a blog that I’ve used since the beginning—which was about this time last year.

www.vintagerosewraps.blogspot.com

If you could jet away on a vacation tomorrow, where would you go and why?

My husband and I really want to go to New England during autumn time.  We’ve talked about it our whole married life, and we can’t wait until we actually do it.

What is something that people probably don’t know about you?

I have “magical” thumbs!  They actually look like toes, but they’re God-given thumbs that have been passed down through my family lines.  Whenever anyone asks how I’m able to do something I just tell them, “It’s in the magic of my thumbs!”

Thanks so much, Katie!  You rock! 

xoxo,

laura

I recently had the opportunity to photograph some items from the Sunsets and Fireflies new line.  Let me tell you, when I laid eyes on the adorable clothes I just squealed!  The ruffles, the fabric, the colors, the beautiful dresses…oh, the cuteness!  Buddies Addie + Alyssa were our cutie little models…so sweet!  Ambra is the talented designer behind Sunsets and Fireflies–head on over to her site or become a fan on Facebook to check her beautiful clothing out for yourself!

Red flower headband and Hat + rolled fabric flower from the talented Dolce Vita Mia. 

“Neckties satisfy mans desire to dress in art.”

~Harry Anderson

The lucky winner of this adorable slate moon necktie from Baby B Boutique is, as picked by random.org,…

comment #10 from Tara!!!

Congratulations, Tara!  Enjoy your Baby B Boutique tie!!  Thank you to all who entered and to Jessica of Baby B Boutique for the fun giveaway!

xoxo,

laura

Loved these–they scream summer + fresh to me.  Dress from the talented Ivy and A, headband by the fabulous Dolce Vita Mia, and orange courtesy of the random property owner who kicked us off his land shortly after these photos were taken.    Ahh, such sacrifice for the art…    That’s about as exciting and living-on-the-edge as my life gets these days with a one year old and a three year old.  Fun times!

xoxo,

laura

“A well tied tie is the first serious step in life.”

~Oscar Wilde

Here is a giveaway for the little dude in your life!  Check out the fab ties from Baby B Boutique!

TO ENTER:

Simply  visit Baby B Boutique, come back here and leave a comment with your name and tell us what is your favorite Baby B Boutique accessory!

FOR AN EXTRA ENTRY:

post a link to this blog post on your Facebook page.  Come back here + leave a comment with your name and saying you did so.

FOR AN EXTRA ENTRY:

Become a fan of Baby B Boutique on Facebook (search Baby B Tutu Boutique).  Come back here and let us know you did!

FOR AN EXTRA ENTRY:

“Heart” Baby B Boutique on Etsy as a favorite, come back here and leave a comment with your name and that Baby B Boutique is now a fave!

FOR AN EXTRA ENTRY:

Post a link to this giveaway on your blog, come back here and write a comment with your name and a link to your blog.

The VERY LUCKY winner will be announced on Monday, June 7th, so check back to find out if it is YOU! 

xoxo,

laura