will you be my valentine?

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for being of the mind that valentines day is a ritual that forces husbands and boyfriends to attempt to surprise their wives with “what, red roses and chocolate hearts again honey? how SWEET! you are so thoughtful! even though you never bring me flowers any other time of the year and you only did it today because hallmark said you had to and so did i”-i sure am getting into the spirit of things around here.

i much prefer to get flowers or candy on a very un-celebrated thursday afternoon. just because.

THAT SAID

HAPPY valentines to you! the kids sure are having a fun day…

kukunest-bedding you are going to want for your kids

i just have to share with you guys because so many of you loved the hairclips at giddygiddy. the creator of giddy giddy, teri dimalanta, has started a new venture with laura mameesh. kukunest bedding, a new line of hip and colorful bedding and decor for the hip and colorful kids in our lives.

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(this is my personal favorite set)

not only are the designs trendy and adorable, but the materials used are oko-tex certified, “a European standard that was created to ensure no negative effects from the manufacture or use of certified textile products.”

im so happy for teri! ever since first “meeting” her when i contacted her about her hairclips, she has surprised me over and over with her sweetness and generosity. not to mention her talent! good luck honey!

edited to add teri’s comment from below:
thank you so much tara for this mention! always such an honor!!
and thank you for all the sweet comments. we’ve only been around for a month, so its always so nice to get people’s personal feedback. this particular design, “lantern festival”, is dear and near to my heart!

email me personally for “tara” discount.
xo
teri
teri@kukunest.com

heck yes! we havent done this in awhile. how could i forget how much i love it?

yesterday after school (kids all finally healthy again) we took a walk around the neighborhood. since making some life changes in order to get healthier and lose weight, one of my goals is to take a walk with the kids after school so they can ride bikes. nothing heart pounding or anything, just to move.

yesterday was a BEAUTIFUL day and so i grabbed my camera and took it with us. ive also been wanting to play with a new wide angle that was a gift/trade with a friend. a tokina 19-35.

i havent taken the kids out to do a shoot with them in ages. seriously-ages. and i always said i wouldnt sacrifice that once i was a pro, and shooting became my job and not just my passion. so im rechecking myself. gotta get out and do it more often.

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a realtor in a jag almost ran me over when i was shooting this.
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kennas “WAZUUUUUUUUUUP” pose she strikes for pics lately. god she makes me crack up.
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taking photos of my kids is like a triple bonus. we connect so much when i am working with them. i hope they will always know, forever, that my photographing of them is a labor of love. and i only do it because of how deeply i feel. and when i am standing in front of them, looking at them through the lens, i can feel the invisible thread that connects us. running from my heart to theirs.