“A laugh is a smile that bursts.”

~Mary H. Waldrip

I am a photo-proofing madwoman lately, but I just had to take time out to share a few of this absolute doll!  Ahh, I adore all ages, but there is just something so darn magical about a six month old…

Up next, more wedding images I have been hard at work on + several {designer love} posts!

{Turquoise flower beanie by the uber-talented Margaret of Three Yellow Starfish.  You will soon see more of the awesome designs from Three Yellow Starfish in an upcoming designer love post!}

{Rainbow leggings from the sweetie Mia of Dolce Vita Mia}

You know me, I am also a sucker for the “serious face”…:)

{Polka Dot headband + yummy orange and yellow leggings from Three Yellow Starfish!}

xoxo,

laura

“Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother.”

~Lin Yutang

I just adore this beautiful mama.    I first met her when she hired me to photograph her days-old first baby girl, and I have had the opportunity to photograph sweet little N and her family many times since.   Traci is just so incredibly fun and we have found ourselves chatting for hours on end on more than one occasion.  She was the talent behind the amazing hair of all the models at our recent Alice in Wonderland shoot.  Check her out and give her a call if you want a new ‘do–seriously, she rocks!  You will quickly find that she is one of the sweetest things around, too.  I am SO very excited that Miss N is going to be a big sis, and I cannot wait to meet their new precious joy.  Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of your lives, I just love you all so much.  I look forward to watching your family grow! And to Dada S, I just haven’t gotten to the fam’ photos, but don’t worry–lots of fun ones with you, too! 

xoxo,

laura

Meet Jen Ray.  Owner of Hair by Jen + {rockin’ mama} to two fab kiddos.

Six month old Mack…

and almost-three year old Katelyn

Learn all about Jen + her super-fun fam’ in her interview below!

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

I am a  hair stylist. I work from my home & also travel to my clients homes in special cases. I.e. servicing multiple family members hair.

I decided to go into Cosmetology school in 2001 and have not looked back since. Best decision I have ever made, (other than marrying my husband & having our beautiful children).

What makes your business so fab and awesome?

I think what makes my business awesome, is that I work with my own schedule. I am not tied down by a boss and I work when I want.

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

I have 2 children a the moment.  My daughter, Katelyn will be 3 this July & my son, Mack is 6 months. They bring me sooooo much joy.

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

Honestly, I thought being a mom & running a business at the same time would be a whole lot easier. But I have taken the challenge and it’s worked out pretty well.

There are certain times of the day that are best to schedule clients i.e. when kids are napping or it’s “happy” time. I also schedule in the evenings and Saturdays when the Hubby is home to watch them. But honestly most of the clients love to watch them play and love to hold my baby while they are here too. I was blessed with pretty well behaved children- let’s just hope it stays that way. 

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

My biggest challenge is when I have scheduled a client and the kids have decided not behave themselves. I kick myself for even scheduling the appointment in the first place knowing that misbehaved kids is always a risk. But luckily most of my clients do not mind if I have to stop to refill sippy cups, get a snack, change a diaper or instill time out.

Do you have a website/shop/boutique?

I have a Hair Blog (http://www.hairstyles4you.blogspot.com) which includes more info on my services as well as example of my work.

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

If I could jet away on a vacation tomorrow, it would be on a cruise in the Caribbean with my hubby. (but only if I could lose fifteen pounds by tomorrow)

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

My family is the most important thing to me. I cherish my husband and my children and I know that if we continue loving each other and striving to do our best we will be together forever. What could be better than that? The fact that I get to do hair along with being a mom is just a bonus.

Thanks so much, Jen!  Be on the lookout for more {rockin’ mamas} each week!  If you are or know of a mama that should be featured, drop me a line!

xoxo,

laura

Meet Mia–fabulous mama to four amazing children and the hard-working owner of Dolce Vita Mia who is always full of fab ideas.  Love her!!

Photo ©Daniel Friedman, courtesy of Raising Arizona Kids Magazine

Mia is a dear friend of mine and I can attest to the fact that she is an amazing mother.  Her children range in age from a year to fourteen years old, and she not only manages to keep them happy and fulfilled while driving them to their many activities, but she teaches two online college classes in addition to running her extremely popular and successful business, Dolce Vita Mia.

As if she weren’t busy enough, she was kind enough to take my dear Jackson to and from school for almost a month two days a week when I was unable to due to my health issues following surgery.  She even got him ice cream afterward…can I help it if he just associates Mia with ice cream now?! 

Seriously, these mamas we are featuring really.do.rock.my.world!  I am in awe of all that they do.  How awesome to be surrounded by and to receive support from such incredibly strong women!  I love hearing how other moms do it, so thanks so much for sharing!

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

Dolce Vita Mia (My Sweet Life) is a hair accessory boutique for girls of all ages.  The concept began after I went on maternity leave from teaching when my youngest daughter was born. An Etsy shopping addiction developed first.  Quickly, I realized I needed to fund my habit through my own craftiness.  With three girls, I knew I could never go wrong with hair accessories.

How did you choose your business name?

Staying home to raise my children had always been a dream of mine.  Couple that with my Italian heritage and Dolce Vita was born. (The Sweet Life)  However, Dolce Vita was already taken on Etsy! Adding Mia to the end really had nothing to do with my name, it was just the only other word I could add that made sense!

What makes your business so fab and awesome?

I guess it’s awesome because it’s different than most of the other hair accessory shops on Etsy.  My pieces are meant to be chic without being overly done for girls of ANY age!

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

Diego (14), Jade (12), Isabella (3) and

Giovanna (18 months)

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

I’m still working the kinks of doing it all, but I have figured out a couple of things that don’t work.  Just recently, I have taken the weekends off from production and assembly.  I still answer convos and purchase supplies on the web, however, my family gets my undivided attention during those two days of the week.

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

Juggling my children’s schedules with the needs of my customers.

Do you have a website/shop/boutique?

www.dolcevitamia.etsy.com

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

My grandfather owned part of a wine vineyard in Italy for most of his life.  After he passed, all of his children and grandchildren were given jars filled with soil from the vineyard.  It has always been a dream of mine to visit the vineyard and return with jars of soil for each of my children as well.

Thanks so much for sharing with us, Mia!    Check out another {rockin’ mama} on the blog next week!  Contact me if you are or know of a {rockin’ mama} that should be featured.  Much love!

xoxo,

laura

Become a fan on Facebook to see special sneak peeks, fun features and info before anyone else! 

Thanks so much for all of the fabu comments on the awesome goodies in the Polka Dot Posh + Ivy and A boutiques!  They rock, right?!

The winner of the $19 gift certificate to Polka Dot Posh and the guitar bib and pant set from Ivy and A is……………….

Jen Ray! Jen, just email your address and info to laura@laurawinslowphotography.com  Thanks bunches!

Yay!  Thanks so much to all those that entered and became fans and followers of both shops.  Love you all!  Stay tuned for a giveaway from another fun boutique, Red Pajamas!  This time, the winner will receive a pair of their skinny jeans for your baby or toddler!!  Can you even stand it?!  I heart skinny jeans!!

“I’m always thinking about creating. My future starts when I wake up every morning… Every day I find something creative to do with my life.”

~Miles Davis

Ummm…so.so.so.adorable, right?!

Do you have a sweet baby boy?  Do you know someone who does?  This is a fabulous giveaway!!!  This giveaway is from designers {Polka Dot Posh} + {Ivy and A}.    The winner will get to choose any item under $20 from the Polka Dot Posh store AND will receive this adorable modern guitar bib and bloomer set from Ivy and A.  This adorable hat and bootie set was designed by the uber-talented Cassi of Polka Dot Posh.  She sells baby cocoons, hanging stork sacks, beautiful beanies, and if you are creative yourself–crochet patterns.  Check out her beautiful creativity and work.  Love her!

To win:

~simply head on over to both Polka Dot Posh and Ivy and A, come back and in one comment (not two separate ones), tell us which item you love from each of their shops.  Make sure to include your name!

For additional entries (you can receive one extra entry for doing each of these things):

~Become a follower of the Polka Dot Posh blog

~Become a fan of Polka Dot Posh on Facebook

~Become a follower of Polka Dot Posh on Twitter

~Become a follower of Ivy and A on Facebook

Make sure to come back here and leave a separate comment for each thing you did, along with your name.

Contest ends at 8 am on Friday, March 12th. 

Just check out this cuteness.  Can you even stand it?!

Both of these women are SO very talented.  I just love women that are creative businesswomen and moms, too.  Thank you to both Stephanie and Cassi for providing such generous prizes.  You both rock!!

Learn more about the mama behind the designs of Polka Dot Posh, Cassi…

xoxo,

laura

Yay!  I am SO excited to present to you the entries for the {mod babe} casting call.  Please only vote for ONE baby boy and ONE baby girl.  Only ONE vote per IP address and person–we are checking, and unfortunately, if more than one vote comes from the same IP address, it will not count toward the total.  Thanks for keeping this fair.

In the event that the winning baby does not sit up on their own by the date of the shoot, we reserve the right to contact the runner up and instead consider the winning baby for alternate shoots when they can sit up on their own.  Please refer to this blog post for full details. Thank you for understanding. 

*There are two polls–one for the girls and one for the boys.  Please continue to scroll down to find them.  Thank you!

**Voting ends at 5:00 pm on Saturday, March 6, 2010***

Our mod babes {girls} ~ in no particular order. 

Online Surveys & Market Research