Take Me Out to The Ballgame

Last weekend the boyfriend and I headed out the door to go experience an All-American ballgame on an All-American weekend. Unfortunately it got rained out. But that didn't stop me - my game face was already on and my bag was already packed. So instead of pitching (heehee!) a fit, I decided to blog about it. Let's play ball!


Our great state of Georgia has the Atlanta Braves baseball team...but we also have a minor league team called the Gwinnett Braves. Yes...it can get a little bit confusing. But the great thing about the minors is that the stadium is shmancy, still has that new-stadium-smell and they have a BERM...or a spot for blanketing at cheaper rates! Granted, you can't bring in your own food or alcohol but it is nice for those of us that only care about one type of pitcher...and it holds hydrangeas.



So here is the list of stuff that begs to be taken to ball games...whether it be your kid's teeball game or your nephew's little league or even your brother's highschool world series.

1. Eye candy. Nothing can get you through those long innings like drooling over the latest glossy mag.

2. Blankie. Cush for your tush, towel for damp bleachers, and a wrap for those sweaty jerseys - a thin mexican blanket will do it all and still fit in your bag.

3. Cash. Tuck enough in your pocket for a footlong, a tray of nachos, a pretzel, some Nerd Ropes, cotton candy and a water...because you are on a diet.

4. Wristlet. A little tote for your wrist can hold the cell phone, the keys, and a credit card...just in case you eat all your cash.

5. Extra Strength Excedrin. 25 kids + 36 arguing parents + 3 umps + 2 random guys that scream 'heads up' after every contact with a ball = 1 major migraine.

6. Meat product. Since they don't sell pork in a small tube...beef will do.

7. Lip Gloss. Because prepackaged meat can be messy. And because there is that crazy mom who documents every single person at every single game....and yes, I hope to be her one day.

8. Granola. So that you can say that you ate a well-rounded meal. Or have one on hand to give your kid after the 4 oz juice box isn't enough.

9. Pashmina. Take a bite outta the chill with a shoulder wrap. Also functions as a face cover when entering the car with a sweaty child.

10. Water bottle. To wash down the excedrin. Or for wiping off the bleachers.


And then don't forget to make sure it all fits nice and tight into an oversized tote. I like to stack things with the bag lying down...that way if I need something as I walk into the park, I can just grab it. Like if I see Will Ferrell running naked, I could whip out the cell phone. Sure, I could just google that later but the point is, make sure your accessories are accesible.


And here is me with my fake smile and my ready-to-go bag. Yes, I am a poser. Literally. And yes, I photoshopped that monster zit off my face while saying 'strike three - yur ouutta heyah!'.

So what would you add to your ballgame bag? Any good tips you wanna share? I am root-root-rooting for someone to pull a Madonna and say crackerjack....and A-rod :)

How to Host a House Crasher

I am not Martha Stewart. Not even close. I am more like Cindy Stewart (her younger, quirkier, less-talented-in all things-craftiness sister). And when it comes to hosting houseguests, Cindy likes to KISS (you know - keep it simple stupid!). So for our recent guests (who excel at all things fabulousness), I did just that. And now I am here to share how to host the heck outta your house crashers...the simple way.



1. STOCK JUST-IN-CASES

I read somewhere that John & Sherry liked all-natural body products...well, we all know how effective those are...so just in case the Hotlanta weather took its toll on the Petersik pits, a basket of extras is in the guest bedroom. Stock up mini toothpaste tubes, contact lens solvent, even sunscreen to take your home to 5 star hotel status. Best part? When something gets used up, replacing it costs usually around a buck.



2. SCRUB SPARINGLY

Let's face it, most folks don't have time to clean their house from top to bottom for houseguests. And although I may be disgusting clean freaks from here to Timbucktwo, I only REALLY clean the spaces that are gonna be home for my friends - namely, the downstairs bathroom, the guest bathroom, the guest bedroom, and the kitchen. Everything else gets a quick sweep & tidy-check. (please note that this was NOT the case for the Petersik stay - where you could have found me running around like a crazy person - yes, for one day I was Paula Abdul of the clorox wipes!)



3. BEDROOM BEVERAGE

Dehydration is a real problem. And I am not talking about celebrity-dehydration (coughLohancough) which usually means that they aren't drunk. C'mon guys - hangovers don't mean you need your own hospital staff. Moving on. During the athletic event of house crashing, one can get thirsty. That is exactly why I like to make sure that the guest room has a couple glasses and a decanter full of H2O.



4. SUPPLY ROOM EXTRAS

Supplying your guests with a luggage rack is a great alternative to knee or back surgery. And although you aren't responsible for their orthapaedic problems, a place to put their stuff is always nice. Even John mentioned that it was a nice spot for his Disney figurine collection (yeah, he takes it with him everywhere - oh wait, that was me!). Other extras that are great for your guest room are a blanket, extra towels, a little reading material, and a small dish for jewelry or change.



5. SPELL IT OUT

Sometimes the smallest details can make your guests feel right at home. And since Sherry is a writer at heart - I knew that she could handle this seven-letter word...WELCOME. Nothing says come in, take off your jacket, relax like this word. And I like to keep it up year-round (written on a white plate with a dry-erase marker) for a little greeting signage.



6. KNOW YOUR GUESTS TASTE

With John & Sherry on their way, we knew they had more refined (and when I say refined, I mean organic, natural, and healthy) tastebuds. So we made sure to stock up on orgagnic foods. No, that is not a typo. Don't judge me...me & preservatives get along just fine. When you have your guests, keep in mind they might be on meat-free, milk-free, or calorie-free diets.



7. APPEAL TO THEIR SENSES

In order to mask the smell of bacon, air freshener is our friend. And my boyfriend was sure to spend about fifteen minutes spraying our odor remover all over the house prior to the Petersik arrival. Let's just put it this way, if your guests smell the pork stank when walking in the door, do you really think they wanna risk keeping their 10 lb doggie in there? The correct answer is no.



8. GIVE A HUG

Do not go in for the full frontal hug uninvited. Trust me...it's a little awkward. Instead give your guests a hug in plushness. A terrycloth robe, matching slippers, a snuggly blankie, even extra socks (NEW...NEW SOCKS! WITH THE TAGS!!) screams 'I want you to be comfortable here!'. And that is exactly the message you wanna send to people that could blast you on the internet...not that they would ever do that...right Sherry?!?!



9. AVAILABLITY IS KEY

When it comes to prepping your house, keep in mind that basic needs still need to be met. Make sure these basics are available to your house crashers...snacks, internet, knowledge of where to poop your dog...that didn't come out right...wow, the potty humor is just oozing today. pun intended. The point is that suppling & informing your new friends of the ins & outs of your home takes the 'ows' out of 'houseguests'.



10. DO NOT DO THE ABOVE

Seriously. Bad. Idea.



Well, there you have it folks. A little insight on how to host a housecrasher for a fraction of the time and energy. Afterall, you will need that extra oomphf later when they ask you to give a foot massage....to their chihuahua. Not that that ever happened.

And to see the results of the housecrashing (which includes some fun photos of my partially cleaned and non-bacon-smelling house) go over to This Young House...and tell em crazy Katie sent ya!

Tiling Tips

I'm back with more info from my recent bathroom tiling adventure. And here's a headsup...I am NOT going to talk about how to tile...you guys can google that. I wanna go into some tips to make tiling easier than a call girl. YAY!


TIP #1 - BE LEVEL HEADED (and floored)

Before our bathroom floor was less level than the tower of Pisa....but now, its a whole new ball game. You can see how we did it here. The even floor makes a world of difference. Not only will the thinset be easier to spread but the actual tile will lay flat instead of having one corner higher. Plus the finishing touches such as trim, doors, furniture, and toilets will go in easier. There is nothing worse than finishing a room only to discover that now the legs on your bathroom cabinet wobble all over. Do the prep people - even out that floor!


TIP #2 - WHOLEY MOLEYS.

Lay out your tile in the room first. Getcha a good plan going. Small adjustments now can save you time & moolah later. See how our room is just a smudgen under the perfect size? Look closely. Our tile is right up to the wall on the left side and leaves just an inch on the right? If I evenly centered the tile in the room (like every website suggested to do) both sides would have required a half inch tile to finish it off. Instead I scooted the plan over to accomodate my inner Britney (It's My Perogative!). It saved me cutting time and the cost of extra tiles!


TIP #3 - PEE YOUR PANTS.

People often try to use a manual tile cutter. If you wanna right shoulder muscle the size of a linebackers & have bazillions of hours...go for it. But me? I like to pee my pants. And you can quote me on that. A wet tile saw is not only easy to use but it will save you TONS of time. Rent one, borrow one, or buy one (we got ours on sale for around $80 and it's been used for six projects already!) whatever you do, just get your hands on one for your next tiling project.


TIP #4 - CLEAN YOUR CRACK.

Let's face it, your crack can get nasty. Stuff is squishing out in the bathroom. The nearby crack is the only place it can go. Wet crack mess can get everywhere. And when it dries, it must be removed or else you end up with negative reactions. So go ahead and scrape it clean. It may hurt your hand, but you will get used to it. I use an assortment of different tools...the key is to dig that hot crack mess out and start with a clean slate :)


TIP #5 - GROUT WITH TWO SPONGES

Spreading grout is super fun. Wiping grout is not. Make the job easier with two sponges and a partner who doesn't mind helping. As you wipe with one sponge, have your partner clean out the other...then switcheroonie. Not only will it make the 'wiping grout' stage easier and faster - but it gives you a flawless finish. Just don't forget to squeeze your squeezer later for a job well done.


TIP #6 - PAINT BEFORE TRIM

Self explanatory. Yes, you will have to caulk and paint your trim but go ahead and get the walls painted before you apply your floor boards. It'll save you time later because you don't have to do a perfect bottom line.


TIP #7 - INVEST IN YOUR THRONE

My older brother (a master plumber in Alabama) recommended to us that we spring for a Kohler brand toilet. He said that in general they have less problems. I figure Pepto Bismol's catchy jingle reminds us of enough potty problems - we really don't need an issue with the potty itself. So we were set on Kohler. We also learned that chair height is comfy for those of us with knee problems. And that the gentlemen folk prefer the elongated bowl. Just so happens that Lowe's carried a Kohler, elongated bowl, chair height toilet for under $200. And let me tell ya, its so comfy I can read an entire House Beautiful on my throne now. I know - I checked.


TIP #8 - DEVILS IN THE DETAILS

You have heard this a million times...devils in the details. It is never more true when you are retiling a bathroom. Sure you may have a totally tubular tiled floor but if the room looks gosh-awful, then nobody can focus on your DIY masterpiece. Go ahead and switch out hardware, touch up paint, include accessories, change your 80's wallplates and finish up your space 100%. It will let your guests dial into your bling-bling floor instead of the blah-blah room.


So there you have it my fine peepers. Some useful tips to help you in your next tiling extravaganza. And if you have some uber helpful suggestions that you would like to share, the floor is yours. I am sure that I am not the only one that could use some more money-saving, time-saving, effort-saving and result-improving tips for along the way. So, just like in the potty room, get to it!

For more bathroom makeover fun, check out Freckles Chick's new loo.

Gym Faux Pas

Is one of your new year's resolutions to go the gym more often? It is for me. And because tonight is the night that I am crossing off my goal of "hitting the gym more than 5 times this month" - I thought I would share with you some of my thoughts on exercise etiquette. So here are some big ole fat DON'Ts when it comes to your local workout facility...cause after all, if you get shunned there, your weight loss goals are down the crapper.

KATIE's TOP 10 GYM FAUX PAS

#1 Do not leave sweaty equipment.

Go ahead - get your sweat on! Drip that salty perspiration all over the elliptical. We don't mind. But please do not get off the machine and walk away forever. Nobody wants to climb all over your wet treadmill and gag while trying to ignore the puddle you left. We see where that sweat has been and we don't want anywhere near it. Grab a paper towel and wipe it off the machine. Sure, we know slopping it up isn't the same as applying anti-bacterial (or buckets of bleach) but not slipping when we grab the side bars makes us feel a little bit better.

#2 Do not stare people up and down.

This is not the time to evaluate whether your butt is as big as a fellow exerciser...sure, a quick glance is fine but do not try to count the cellulite pockets on the back of a person's thighs for comparison purposes. People are in the gym to lose weight and get fit, not so that they can feel intimidated by the masses. Stop staring.

#3 Do not sing along with your ipod or talk loudly on your cell.

You would think that most people know that ears still work even when legs are moving...but still, it happens. I am jamming out to Britney...please don't sing Justin out loud. Not only are you butchering the song, but it's a painful reminder of their breakup. And when the phone rings, hit ignore or run into the locker room to talk...I bet you'll burn like ten calories on the way there. Some people gotta get a certain mojo going to offset the box of girl scout cookies they inhaled at lunch and hearing the conversation about your recent gynecology visit is a sure fire way to unhealthy calorie loss...aka bulimia.

#4 Do not wear a thong on the outside of your clothing.

Never is this ok. Never. It is time to move on. The 80's are long gone. The cold war is over. Ronald is not the president. We all miss the Cosby show. Denise Austin put the leotard thongs away - so should you. I swear you'll barely miss them. Bonus points - it'll make bathroom breaks so much easier.

#5 Do not leave the free weights on the machine.

Leaving your six hundred pounds on the leg press is just rude people. Not only do we have to pull a muscle to remove the weights but you are reducing the amount of time we can watch reality TV. And that is a punishable offense. Men are generally the guilty party for this one...so girls, try to remind them that it is a good thing to clean up after themselves. Try "Wow - I noticed your arm muscle really pops out when you lift free weights onto the machine - could I see that again?" It works like a charm :)

#6 Do not disrespect my personal space.

Know that little hook that holds the optional five pounder on the hamstring machine? Yea...it's not ok to reach over me while I am bent over in the downward facing dog position to grab that weight! And when you get on the treadmill for the first time in your life, it is not ok to lean over into my treadmill space to see my settings. I almost fell. And when I am doing sit ups on the mat, do not grab my shoes to help hold me down. Anything that is attached to my body, that counts as my personal space. Including but not limited to shoes, shirts, hair, Ipod, earphones, and waterbottle (do not even think about me sharing!)

#7 Do not go topless or wear clothing that sags or that is too small or too short.

Boys and girls - shirts are a good thing...keep them on. I don't care if you have chiseled abs and a great rack. I don't care if you kept the sports bra on. I don't care if you wanna make sure your upper delts are bulging correctly. We don't wanna worry about a stray boob or the possibility of back hair falling onto the equipment - keep the shirt on. Also, girls, look in the mirror before you go to the gym...if you can see the cottage cheese (I have it too) through your clothing...it's time to change your outfit. And please do not wear short shorts on the abductor/adductor machines. Flashing cootchies are for drunk celebrities and for places called "Vaginas-R-Us".

#8 Do not forget to trade your bling for deodorant.

Don't wear your chains and your rings and your four-pound earrings into the gym. Maybe it's because I live near a city that appreciates a gold covered and diamond inlaid grill but when possible it is better to leave the bling at home. Primarily because then I don't have to worry about whether your Ethiopian inspired earlobes are going to tear under the great weight of your jewelry. Secondly because it will be much more comfortable than having your platinum pimp tags bang repeatedly on your chest while you run. Also, while you are stashing your clocks and dollar signs away, grab your antiperspirant. Wipe it on. And no, organic deodorant is not the same...

#9 Do not hit on people in the gym.

If I wanted to go to a meat market, I would have hit up Al's Butcher shop. I am here to work out. Please do not come up to tell me that your friend wants to know whether I am single or into Thai food or likes a 'good time'. I am married, I obviously eat only chocolate covered food and my idea of a good time is sleeping in a big bed...alone...till noon. Pleasant conversation is fine. A comment about the emblem on my tshirt is ok. Friendliness is welcome. But please respect the fact that I am not in a club or a bar or a single's activity group. I am here because I wanna be skinny to impress my girlfriends...ok?

#10 Do not use profane language.

For heaven's sakes - there are kids in here! And I think it is great that these fat children are there with their chubby parents trying to lose weight - and when I have kids, I will get their fatty butts in there too so please, please, please cut the foul language. Even if there is no kid around, and your ligaments feel like popping, it isn't nice to drop the F-bomb at the top of your lungs. Sure, I have been there. I feel like cussing when I am doing squats and busting blood vessels. But then I remember that I am there to get hot...and cussing is not hot. It can be ridiculously humorous in the right situation...but I just can't imagine Audrey Hepburn saying "mother-effer" upon finishing a jazzercise set.

So there you have it. My top ten DON'Ts for going to the gym. And I know that there are probably eight hundred more that could make the list. Can you tell that I am more irritable since I started working out? Or maybe it's the diet I have been thinking about starting...just the idea that I will have to go on one makes me cranky :) So what about you...what are the things that just drive you batty in the gym? Nakedness in the locker rooms? How about spitting in the pool? Spill it you guys...it might be something that I have been doing at LAFitness and need to fix!

(hope you enjoy my little past-life's sports modeling photos! Aren't they a hoot?!?!)

More Dining Room Updates

Progress was made in the dining room. I know...I know...it seems like I have been working on this same room for eternity...don't worry though...I tend to decorate rooms only 85% of the way - so we should be coming to an end here soon.

Ok - here was the WAY before shot:

And the updated view:

Notice any changes from my last update? Yup - the curtains got the big swap. And the sconces are up.

I also did a little art substitution. My fab frame before was feelin the love with scrapbook paper but it seemed a little too monochromatic.

So I did a little pah-rusin' of my Pottery Barn catalog and loved the black-n-white sketches of the tower-de-eiffel. I can sketch...I hope. So I whipped up a little art of my own in the theme of DINING! Add a little scribble of a signature (doesn't matter if it is actually your name) to validate your own masterpiece.

After authenticating my own art, the beautiful boyfriend hung the wine glass racks on the the bottom of the wine bottle racks. He moves very fast :)

Now all I need is a few bottles of bubbly cause our stash is kinda merlow :)

I decided to tackle the task of scraping the paint from the window panes. I neglected them earlier when I was painting the trim and just hid it behind the blinds. Outta sight, outta mind. That is until I walked outside. YIKES!

And because Bower Power is a place of laughs, love and learning, I thought this might be a good time to share with you how I minimize the work of window pane paint

THE SLACKER's SOLUTION TO PAINT SCRAPIN'

1. Do Not Avoid Painting the Pane

When painting your sashes, the window and the sill, make sure you have a good smooth stroke with plenty of paint. Do NOT (and I repeat - NEVER) avoid painting the cracks between the pane and the wood. Do NOT clean the paint off the pane immediately. Actually this paint can help seal up your windows and help provide an ounce of insulation around the drafty glass. So remember - crack kills (your gas bill) so paint em good. It will be panefull not to!

2. Cut The Edges With Your Weapon of Choice

I like to use a joint compound knife. Since I am clumsy and tend to induce injuries upon myself (particularly my digits), razor blades are out. You wouldn't put another puppy in the path of Paris Hilton, would you? Well, same applies here - neglect and stupidity equals one less little sucker. Make sure when you cut the edges, you run the edge of your weapon along the edge until you see the darkness of the glass beneath the paint.

3. Scrape Like You Have Never Scraped Before

This is why I like the muddin' knife - its wider tip allows for greater scraping space and the possibility of scratching the window is minimal. Also, because it is longer than your typical razor blade, the leverage you have to get under the paint drips is better.

4. Clean Up The Crumbs

Personally I pull out the vacuum. But you may have another solution - do I hear bucket of soapy suds? After a quick suck - then comes the windex....easy peasy pumpkin squeesy!

And there you have it - the slacker's solution to scrapin' paint. Don't they look so sparkly and clean?!?

To Do:

Buy and hang white curtains
Scrape paint off window panes (oops!)

Buy and possibly paint small side table for drink station

Sand and gel stain buffet to match table

Switch out buffet hardware

Buy bar height chairs for beside buffet

Hang sconces

Paint curio cabinet

CELEBRATE FINISHED DINING ROOM

Yard Sale Tips

The economy is in the pooper...your 401K is gone...employers are shutting their doors....Lipstick Jungle is getting the boot...but do not fret my pet! I know what can keep your hard-earned green in your bank accounts - YARDSALES to the rescue!

And I am here to share with you some yardsaler tips that most of you probably already know. But for those virgin tag salers, this is your day - cause tomorrow could be your chance to take the plunge into the world of cheap finds and quality goods at knock-out prices.

TIP #1 BRING THE CHANGE & THE OFFERS

This unopened puzzle was right up my alley - $1 was the price asked. After some hemming and hawing and some price talking, I opened my purse and pulled out two quarters - "Would you take fifty cents?" SOLD. The key to getting a discounted price is to express a whole lotta interest, then ask the price. After they tell you the price...get a tortured look on your face...like you really, really want the item but it would mean the difference between eating and buying this puzzle. But you really, really want it. You are so torn. Make sure they see your pain. Then go for the jugular.

Provide a offer that is accompanied by the exact dollar amount. Once the seller sees the money available - it is hard to turn down. Plus, if you pull out a whole dollar and asked for change, the seller would probably want the whole dollar cause it is in their hand. Greedy seller :) Case in point - bring lots of change cause there are a lot of items that only cost a nickel, a dime or under a buck. And always ALWAYS ask for a price reduction - dude, you are doing them a favor by cleaning out their old junk - and like the good book says "ask and you shall receive".



TIP #2 - BUY MULTIPLES

So the seller has a wide variety of chotchkeys, or childrens clothing, or jewelry? Great! This translates into a better deal for you! What is the price of one item? Look at the whole lot and pick out your favs. Ask directly if the host of your tag sale will give you a deal if you buy more than one - maybe two for the price of one, maybe three for the price of one. Most times, the seller just wants to get rid of the bounty. Recently, I put this in action when buying some clip-on earrings for my Grandma - three for the price of two...sure, a buck a piece wouldn't have been bad in the first place but every greenback counts! I even checked out how much they would be via ebay to ensure I got a decent deal. SCORE! Now I hope she likes them...eeek!

I also played this tip at a yardsale in order to snag some drywall. Drywall you say? Yup - the dude let me have it at $1 a piece because I bought thirty pieces. If I buy it at Home Depot it's $11 a sheet. That is a savings of $300! Sure, I had to beg my boyfriend to come haul it into his truck and I am sure that the backrub I gave him in gratitude was priceless (aren't they always honey?!?), but it was well worth the effort when it came time to drywall our basement!

So remember multiple items means multiple savings.


TIP #3 - ONLY BUY WHAT YOU LOVE


When my brothers and sister and I were little and my mom would take us clothing shopping, she would ask "Do you love it? Would you wear it everyday? Do you LOVE it?" It now is a running family joke. But the point she was making was this: Let's not buy it unless you will actually USE it. And the same applies to garage sales.

If you like it - great. Dream outloud. But if you can actually see a valid, useful application of the item in your house - that is when you can consider loosening your pursestrings.

This great little cedar chest was calling our names as we stepped outta the car. How much? Twenty bones. Well worth it. I implemented tip #1 and it was now $15. Loaded it up and knew exactly what I would do with it.

A light sanding and a coat in white made the little beauty perfect for housing my flipflops and kicks. Plus now I have a place to perch while shoeing my feetsies. Sure, it might change colors or change positions in this room or even change jobs later down the line - but this is one piece that I know I could honestly answer -

YES, I LOVE IT.

and

YES, I WILL USE IT EVERYDAY.

A thousand points to mom for teaching me that quality cheapness does exist and how to score it...

So I hope these few little tips help remind you that a whole slew of items are awaiting you at your local yard/tag/garage sale and that a tortured look can take you far. Do you have any priceless tidbit of yardsalers insider info that you wanna share? Do tell me cause more than likely, I will LOVE your tips and I will use it every weekend!

A Model's Guide to Photo Shoots

99% of folks love family photos. That remaining 1% only hates them because


a) they hate their family or
b) they hate the way they look in photos


I can't help you with the feelings of animosity toward your spouse, parents or siblings BUT I can assist you with some tips to look fabulous the next time you get ready for a close-up. And these helpful hints are also useful when preparing for your next photo sess...be it celebrating an engagement, wedding, baby, or pregnancy. Heck, you may be a natural beauty and wanna break into modeling...these will definitely get ya on the right track. So here is a model's guide to photo shoots - these are the basics people...so don't contact an agent just yet.

The examples below are from my own personal file of when I used to model attempt to model. Beware: I did very little print work so laughing and openly mocking is ok. Just keep in mind these are general tips :)




WHAT TO WEAR:

Clothing decisions for photo shoots are one of the most frequent mistakes individuals make. It is always best to do research on what kind of background you will have on your shoot - will it be on location or in a studio? This will help you to determine the clothing to wear. As the photo above shows, outside shots are good with colors that compliment your skin tone, include soft texture, no patterns, and contrasting colors to the background (you don't want to appear like a floating head!) When on location or in studio, choose one or two accessories girls...that's it. No colored fingernail polish...ever.

Also, remember that these pictures are FOREVER. This means that you don't neccessarily want to wear what is trendy - wear what is flattering. Clothing that is too tight, too revealing, and too baggy are big no-no's.

In a studio, colors are definitely ok - keep patterns to a minimum and if you must wear something 'non-plain' make it a muted or a non-repeating pattern like this skirt. Also, white shirts can wash you out in a studio (but I love wearing white!) so in order to bring some flava to the mix, add a bright necklace to break it all up.

Makeup should be natural looking. And again - if it ain't flattering, (be Anti-Nike) just don't do it! Ask a stranger if you can't tell. They probably won't lie. TIP - Ask your photographer if you can see one of the first photos to see if your makeup is too dark or too light. Also, keep a small makeup bag and a mirror with you for touchups.

WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR FACE:

First and foremost, learn your best smile. Practice in the mirror till your facial muscles memorized the movement. Do it with your eyes closed. Smile then open your eyes...what needs to change? Maybe your teeth aren't showing enough, maybe your mouth is too open, maybe you squint your eyes - make the change then do it over and over. Remember, even if you are only in the background, your face is visible so SMILE!

To make your face appear thinner, point your nose directly at the camera lens then lower it 1 to 1.5 inches. This little technique also helps your eyes look bigger and more alert. Try to raise your eyebrows just a hair and pull the facial muscles back and upward toward the crown of your head for a more tight, youthful appearance. For the most complimentary picture, turn your head till your 'good side' eye is the center of the shot.

Always be aware of the other people sharing the picture with you. Your body language and head position should be complimentary to theirs. If they lean in, you lean in. If they tilt their head in, you need to meet them halfway.

WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR HANDS:

Your hands are awkard - join the club. Don't know what to do? Pretend you are in character. If you were a cowboy, you'd hook em. If you were a glam gal, you'd relax at the wrist. Still feels weird? Try letting your hands hang down by your side, placing them on the outside of your leg. Or you can pretend you are pinching a fragile glass between your thumb and middle finger.

When doing studio shots alone make sure both hands can be seen by the camera. It is all about perspective. Putting one hand your hip and the other near your face is fine unless your body is turned and you look one hand short cause your body is blocking.

One last hand tip - keep your fingers together. Otherwise you look like you have a claw.

WHAT TO DO WITH THE BODY:

Shoulders down. Abs in. Head up. Angle one leg or arm toward the corner of your picture. As you can see, one leg to the left bottom corner, one arm to the left top corner. Don't shmoosh your arm on your body - let it hang away...reduces arm fat appearance.

Push the bootie out. It may feel awkward but it makes photos better. Last but not least - put your weight on your back leg and arch your chest out till you feel your abs feel long (no back pain should be included - if that feels tight, relax a bit).

So that's it...once you get your face on, your hair did, and your photog lined up, you should be good to go. Conquer your solo shoot and your family photos should be a cinch. That is, if you can forgive your mother for always criticizing you and your brother for announcing that you kissed the bathroom mirror till you were twelve :)

The Silver Surfer

My quest for polishing silver continues. Last night I attempted the chemical dip (dun,dun,duuuun!) - that was my scary sound effect. And boy did it shine things right up!


I got out my glass dish, lined it with aluminum foil and poured some undisclosed amount of salt and then formed another little mound of baking soda. Added some boiled water and then threw in my tarnished silver jewelry.


It worked! But not quite as perfectly as I would have hoped. So I still had to wipe all the pieces down with a paper towel to really get them to shine.

That is when I decided to experiment a bit...
See that leaf inspired dish with the faint red arrow pointed to it? That was to be the subject of my experiment. Sure I had already rubbed the sucker raw, but I wanted to see what I missed.

I dipped it in the dish with the salt/soda combo. Some removal but not enough for me. So I dumped half the box of baking soda on top. If a couple tablespoons worked ok then a cup or two will work like magic, right?

It took me about three hours till I figured out the key to success. The perfect wave if you will.

The secret is that you have to put your tarnished silver piece in a bowl that it can be completely submerged. Then you fill the whole bowl with ridiculously hot boiling water. Then sprinkle the baking soda over the whole thing. It fizzles and fuzzes with chemical dip fervor.

If the piece is REALLY tarnished then you have to let it soak until the water is only warm then repeat the whole process.



When I started that leaf bowl, it was decently polished. By the time I was done chemical dipping, it shone like you wouldn't believe. Which brings me to my Jesus analogy.


Jesus is the light...right? And we are the silver. Silver can be all sparkles but put it in a dark room and it fades into the darkness. Now put a little candle up to the silver and you can spot the twinkle even in the pitch blackness.

What's the point?

We are not gorgeous without Jesus. We can only reflect His goodness...His light! The more light we let in our lives, the more twinkle we reflect. Just a reminder that we can can be Jesus' reflectors...His love can bounce off us to those around us. What a gift that can be!!! And that my friends is why we need Him to polish us & "dip" us in His Holy Spirit :) How's that for a kick-butt analogy!!?!?!

I think I am done for now in the silver polishing arena - unless I can get another BIGGER box of baking soda...then I think I will attempt the larger pieces. Hope you can try this method out and if you find that something works better - please let me know...I am really tired of having antacid hands!