Forever friends

I have been friends with Stephanie since we were in 7th grade.  We did everything together.  Well over 20 years later we are still friends, although things have changed a bit.  We both have kids! lol  I had a blast the other day photographing her 4 children.  And I must say, her oldest daughter looks a lot like her when I 1st met her on the playground what seems like forever ago.....

Baby Sanvi

I had the pleasure of photographing a beautiful Indian baby girl.  She was so sweet and had the most beautiful eyes!  Did I mention her wonderful parents fed my homemade Indian food?  It was sooo good!!  I hope to be seeing Sanvi again soon, she was so wonderful to work with!  : )

Love beautiful little girls in their spring dresses

I had the pleasure of photographing my friends beautiful girls over the weekend in their pretty new spring dresses.

Right before the rain

Wanted to take a few pictures of my best friend Jenn and her daughter Madison at an apple farm down the street from us.  We got a few shots in and it started raining: (  Good thing I got this shot before we had to run to cars!

Homemade organic babyfood for your little love

Our little Izzy has turned 6 months this past week and we have just started solid foods with her. We decided to start her out with banana which I just heat up a smidge to soften and mash up with a spoon. I did get a baby bullet for Christmas, so I'm sure I will be using that nonstop. I used the original bullet with my other 2 babies and it worked well. I found that making my own baby food was not only cheaper, but very very easy! I want to share this great website that has a plethora of information on making your own delicious and nutritious homemade baby food.
http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/organicsforhomemadebabyfood.htm
I like that this website has the EWG's (environmental working group) dirty dozen list. This is a list of 12 of the most and 12 of the least contaminated produce. I love this list! Being on a budget, with 5 people to feed, this list shows me which foods to splurge and buy organic and which i can buy non organic.
Enjoy and happy baby food making! : )

Izzy's mini photoshoot..

This morning Jake and Lila left to see The Lorax with Grandma and Grampa and I was left with a cute baby and a ton of time.  So Izzy and I decided to do a mini shoot: ) 
Enjoy!



Sentimental Traditions

Here are some charming ideas to incorporate into your wedding day to make it extra special for those who are nearest to your heart.

Mother
A double frame makes a wonderful gift for your mother. On one side, use a picture of you and your mother when you were a little girl and on the other, a picture of you together on your wedding day—hugging, getting ready together or something like that. For an extra-special touch, have the frame engraved to read, “I’ll always be your little girl.”

Father
If you wear a blusher veil, it is traditional to give it to your father after your wedding day, as a memento of that moment in your lives. A shadow box is a cute way to display this gift, along with a portrait of you walking down the aisle or having your father-daughter dance during the reception.

Fiancé
Secretly do a boudoir portrait session in your bridal lingerie and frame your favorite portrait. Hide it for him to find on your wedding morning with a little love note. This will be a wonderful surprise for him to enjoy that day and for many years to come.

Maid of Honor
A framed portrait of you together on your wedding day with a necklace or a gift card to a spa is the perfect thank you to your maid of honor. Have each bride’s maid sign the sole of your shoe before the ceremony for good luck. Whoever’s name is darkest by the end of the day will be married next.

Best Man
An engraved flask, a box of cigars or a nice set of cuff links are all thoughtful gestures to give to the best man in your wedding. Be sure to get a portrait of all the groomsmen and the groom doing a toast. This makes a wonderful framed gift to give to each, along with a handwritten thank you card.

Flower Girl
An engraved locket is a wonderful gift for your flower girl. Alternately, a charming music box would also be cherished for years to come. Take a picture with your flower girl, and wait until her wedding day to give it to her, along with a heartfelt message about how proud you are to see her grow into a beautiful woman.

Future Children
Save a few bottles of wine from your wedding (depending on how many children you plan to have) and box each one up with a picture of you and your husband on your wedding day, as well as a heartfelt, handwritten message. This makes a wonderful gift many years down the road on your children’s wedding day.

Anniversary
Save the top tier of your wedding cake and freeze it until your one year anniversary. This makes for a wonderfully romantic memento from your wedding day.

For that big 25, use one of those bottles of wine that you set aside for your kids, if you have extras!

For your 50th, go to the place you were married and renew your vows in front of your closest and most dear family and friends. Be sure to save your shoes, veil and dress, wrapping them in linen and storing them in an airtight, watertight place. If you don’t end up renewing your vows in them, a daughter or granddaughter might love to wear it again.

Lila Bella Photography

Damla's prenatal

This beautiful pregnant mama was introduced to me through my wonderful doula Beth Brown.  Damla teaches yoga http://www.damlayoga.com/ and offers prenatal sessions as well as Reiki sessions.  She is one of the most beautiful pregnant women I have ever met!  She also has a wonderful blog that I very much enjoyed reading. : )
Thank you Damla for letting me photograph you!