Many of you saw these pictures posted on Facebook earlier this week and I wanted to give you all the back story.  I am passionately working to launch [Where is June?] in an all new space, with a brand new look.   Part of my vision was to have a few professional pictures on the blog.  Pictures that reflect who I am and my love of life. The self-portraits with my iPhone weren’t working for me anymore.  I asked Elise Liptack {elisemariephotos.com} to take the photographs, but I honestly had no idea how amazing the entire experience would be for me.

First of all-I love clothes, shoes and accessories.  Elise suggested I bring more than I would need and I went for it.  Choosing my favorite pieces from my closet, I tried many combinations until I found four outfits I loved.  I placed them all on my bed with shoes and jewelry…it truly was like playing dress up!

The session started at Swink Style Bar in downtown Seattle.  Isabella worked some serious magic with my makeup.  I asked for her to keep it natural.  The shading, lashes, and overall glow was just what I wanted!  I am a naturally curly girl.  Knowing that I wanted my hair down, I requested that Isabella just polish up my curls.  Seriously, my hair has never looked that good.  My Tuesday was off to a great start!

Elise took pictures for over an hour, but it felt like a matter of minutes.  She made me feel comfortable and beautiful right away.  After the first few shots, I instantly felt more alive.  Witnessing her creativity and the love of her craft was inspiring.  She gave me a sneak peek of a few pictures on her LCD screen.  I was overwhelmed with appreciation for the time I had with her.  

I honestly believe that everyone woman should do this for herself.  It was the most affirming and lovely morning I have had in a long, long time.  If you are like me, every time you see a snap shot of yourself all you do is find all the things wrong with how you look.  Now is the time for you to see the beautiful woman everyone else sees when they look at you.  While I realize most of you will not plan an individual photo shoot, consider some alternatives. The next time you have family pictures taken, have your hair and make up done and ask for a few shots by yourself.  Or ask a trusted friend, who is great with a camera, to take photographs of you.  I know you will not regret it.  At least promise you will think about it.

{I was moved by the outpouring of kindness from my family, friends, and even strangers.  Thank you to all who sent me an email, a text, or commented and liked the sneak peek that Elise posted.  xoxo}

Summer is so near you can almost taste it!  With summer brings long, hot days of sipping many [and in some cases, one TOO many] cocktails.  A friend of mine recently shared with me a fool proof hangover cure.  {She is a pharmacist- so I am fully trusting her on this one!}

Take these three things before you go to sleep:
1. Tall glass of water
2. 1000mcg of vitamin B12
3. Advil/ibuprofen  {Never Tylenol!}

She kindly answered a few questions I had about the remedy:

Why take vitamin B12?
Alcohol can deplete your b vitamins which are known as your “stress” vitamins. 

Why take Advil instead of Tylenol?  
Alcohol is processed by the liver, as is Tylenol.   Advil (ibuprofen) is processed by the kidneys.  You never want to make your liver work too hard, so the more alcohol you drink, the worse the interaction.

How much Advil should a person take?
The amount of ibuprofen is really individualistic as each person responds differently.  If 2 Advil alleviate your pain normally,  than 2 would work in this instance.   You never want to take more than 4, as it can hurt your kidneys.

It’s worth a try, right?  Have a great week. 

When life gets busy and you are rushing out the door to get the kids to school or practice, who has time to painstakingly move all the contents from your purse into another so that it will coordinate with your outfit?  Not me.

However, with the help of a small pouch that holds all my essentials [like hair ties, lip gloss, Advil, hand sanitizer] and a trinket box for small miscellaneous items I can make the switch in less than 30 seconds.  I don’t use any of the pockets in my hand bags for storage.  Except for my cell phone,  everything goes into the zip pouch for safe keeping and easy transfer.

Hand Bag #1

 A zippered pouch in a fun print + macron shaped trinket box

Hand bag #2

A quick switch in 30 seconds and nothing is lost or left behind!
Where are you going today?

 You need to watch this:

photo challenge: 1.0/ books. {instagram}

I have given myself a photo challenge.  Take a photo each week on a given subject.  This week was books.  The Great Gatsby is soon to be released on the big screen.  I decided to re-read this classic.  It is even better than I remembered.  Funny how 20 years of life experience changes a book for a reader.
Next week:  in your closet.  {If you want to play along.}

Take time for yourself this weekend.  Watch a classic movie you have never seen before, take a walk [rain or shine] or wander around the world wide web.  Here are a few links to start with….

SHOP::
Take a peek at the darling dresses from the line Kate Young for Target.  {Launching 4.14}
The greatest iPhone covers I have ever seen!

DIY::
An avocado seed + gold spray paint= a clever place card {or photo} holder
Create amazing, romantic pictures with a sandwich bag

READ::
Re-read a classic.  The Great Gatsby or The Sun Also Rises.
An unexpected coming of age story.  Tell the Wolves I’m Home.

HOME::
A great storage idea for your accessories.
New bed linens could be the secret to a good night’s sleep.

JUST FOR FUN::
Mini treat boxes.  Perfect for a truffle, a caramel, or a few jelly beans.

AND a post you may have missed:
lessons from hot yoga  [my lessons learned in a very hot room.]

with great excitement I am passionately working on an all new :: Where is June?

until I arrive in my new space find me @ whereisjune.blogspot.com

The sweet treat-macrons. 

Look what I found!  I popped into my local floral shop and spotted this show stopper.  I couldn’t get over the creamy colors and the softness of the pussy willow branches.  Simple and gorgeous.  Spring has now arrived in my living room! 

I was inspired to gussy up the mantle a bit.   I added a book from my book shelf {Its title is very seasonal, don’t you think?} and some of Little Man’s artwork that I cut out and framed. 

While I was noising around the shop, I found a few other great home accessories!  This mini- live topiary was calling my name.  It works perfect in a small collection on my coffee table.  I placed it in the lid of a fabric box I had in the closet – along with a prayer candle and my Hudson glassybaby.  On the super plus side, I only have to spray the topiary once a month to keep it green.  Even I can do that!

While serving no real purpose {other than looking awesome…} I couldn’t leave this crown behind.  I love the gold and the heft of this piece.  Where will end it up?  I have a feeling it will move around a bit.  For now, it sits atop a gardening book on the coffee table. 

And last, but certainly not least, a GurglePot.  A whimsical stoneware pitcher that gurgles when you fill a glass.  They offer a rainbow of colors, but I went with simple white.  Pop over to GurglePot to see all of the choices and hear the “gurgle”.  {The striped tray is from Target last year.  Target.  Another great place for affordable seasonal accessories.}

Check out your local florist.  You might be surprised what you will find!  Have you ever discovered a favorite piece for your home in an unexpected place?