Chicago Weekend for the Win(n)

As I was nursing Mr. Leo before bed tonight, I was browsing my phone (I usually read some smart book during nursing... no I do not!!!), I looked at my photo stream and was disappointed at the number of photos I took while in Chicago this weekend. My first thought  - fail. Because we all know that the level of success of a certain endeavor is determined by photo documentation of that endeavor.   No, it is not. Because yucky weather notwithstanding, it was a positively successful weekend not without some new experiences.
First, there was the "almost bribery" of a Chinese consulate worker, who helped us out with my brother-in-law's passport situation. We didn't intend to bribe at all, just wanted to thank the guy and make it "worth his while" for coming into work after hours. But he refused our Target gift card. He may have been worried about getting caught on tape accepting something, but I'd like to believe he was just acting out of the goodness of his heart. Ashley and Weishan should be about an hour away from Shanghai as I type this, thanks to the honest and kind Chinese consulate worker, who probably got a lickin' from his wife.
Then there was my first ever bathroom nursing. Standing up. My arms were shaking , but it could have been worse actually. Thank you Mr. Leo, for being a speedy eater. And thank you, Target, for your semi-clean spacious family restrooms. (Would you put a bench or something in there though?) I don't know about you, but this seems like a big deal to me.  Is a "Seasoned Mom Club" a thing? 'Cause I feel like I've just become a member.
One of our goals for the weekend was to get Greg a new wardrobe. I was planning to not shop for myself, but to help him. But you know that feeling when you walk into a clothing store and everything goes blank in your mind and all of a sudden you come home with a bunch of crap you didn't need? Yeah. Me! Neither!

So yes, two and a half iPhone pictures only, but we came home from Chicago with some money to spend at Target,  a new-found level of motherhood, and bunch of clothes that we don't need, but must have if we don't want parenthood and small town living to completely turn us off fashionability... Fashionhood? Fashioning? Agh... too late...

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Oh, what a year it has been! By far the biggest and most life changing year of my life. I feel like I say that every year, but this one REALLY was:)! In fact, the big changes started no later than January 1st of 2014, the day my hubby became a business owner. Now, nearly a year later we still sometimes wonder what in the world we were thinking with that one:) Greg is in his element and LOVES his job, but it's a little intimidating (and time-consuming!) to own a business, I won't lie.
Later in May, Miss Annika turned the big TWO, and we all know everything about what that's like. Phew:) That same month we closed on our very first house and then I became a stay-at-home mom (for a year). On July 12, we left the lake and moved 2 miles down the road into our new house. Just 5 days after that, Mr. Leo was born. And I became a stay-at-home mom of two!!! Of two precious little rascals, who make my heart go boom-boom every day (in between all the hair-pulling that I do, teehee:)).
This year, my sister-in-law Tracie got pregnant (4th grand baby for the Winns is due in February) and my brother-in-law Ashley got engaged to his girlfriend Weishan.
Even though all of these changes didn't come without some challenges, I know that years down the road, this is the year we will be talking about the most and remembering it with smiles on our faces.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from our family to yours! Cheers to 2015 (the year I will become skinny)!!!! :)

It's time to work on your Christmas cards, friends!

The day after Halloween the famous red cup made its appearance at Starbucks. I giggled and giggled over it, not unlike my 2-year-old giggles over the word “treat”. But then I panicked.   I HAVE LESS THAN A MONTH TO BRING MY DIY CHRISTMAS BOARD ON PINTEREST TO LIFE. Excuse my shouting, but if that’s not THE reason to panic, I don’t know what is.

First things first! Holiday cards. For years I would put this off till the last minute. Once, friends received our cards at the end of January. I have no shame. This year, the moment the first leaf fell on the ground, I told my family to jump! They didn’t respond with “how high”, so it took some convincing. But that’s another story.

I do a little bit of photography on the side and have had a few Holiday sessions. Every time I just look forward to seeing what outfits and locations people choose. I myself put a lot of thought into those life-or-death matters as well and would like to share my two cents:)

As far as outfits are concerned, I think picking one color to stand out is the trick. Last year, for example, I chose the oh-so-then-popular mustard yellow. This jacket on my hubby (my favorite), this dress on my Annika… And I myself opted for a simple headband. No need to go overboard:) 

How great would this picture fit with this modern card design below? Minimal holiday cheer does not overwhelm all the colors and textures in the photo.

The year before that I actually went with simple gray as the accent. The little touch of red makes it look wintery and festive:)

With the simple colors, you can go all out on the card. How about this fun one?

I love continuity in Christmas cards, so I try to match at least one color from my picture with the color of the card design (like gold-orangish in the first example and red in the second). I’m not type-A, I swear.

Can’t think of a specific color? Consider black and white photos.

This was a revelation to me until I got a beautiful black-and-white card last year. I can just see this photo with my daughter on this Christmas card from Tiny Prints. It’s so classy, simple, and yet festive.

As far as location is concerned, I find that most people choose fall scenery for their holiday card photos. And no wonder, it’s gorgeous (in most of the country). It’s great if your city has a trail in the woods where fall trees and leaves are in abundance. Fields are great, too, whether it’s an open field or a corn fields. Or maybe an apple orchard (photo below)? The trees are bare in late fall, but they are usually so perfectly lined up and look very picturesque.

You can also have fun inside. Put on your Christmas jammies and snuggle with your loved ones over a steaming cup of hot cocoa (with those little marshmallows floating on top, of course:)) or over a Christmas book. Candid, real, cozy!

No matter what, your friends will LOVE getting a Christmas card from you. I can just picture them saying, “Awe, look how nicely the shade of her headband matches her daughter’s dress!”.

I kid, of course .

And here comes the most astounding secret to perfect Christmas pictures: smile and have fun! I know, I know, a shocker, but I don’t think there is a greater feeling than seeing all those happy faces displayed on your fridge as you reach for that eggnog.

Happy Holidays!