Model Search!!

My 3 kiddos are in a model search for Ruffled Rebelles which is being sponsored by VanZandt Studios

I would LOVE if you voted for them. Please, make sure you like Ruffled Rebelles and VanZandt Studios as well.

Here is a link to give you some info to win a FREE GOODIE BAG from Only Prettier so it's a WIN WIN situation.

Plus!!! I am going to do a giveaway worth $20 on this blog as well. How to enter :

1 - comment below that you voted for the 4 kiddos on the FREE GOODIE BAG link

2 - Tweet and link below in a comment for an extra entrie

3 - Share the FREE GOODIE BAG link on facebook and link below

4 - Pin it!!!

We will check everything so make sure you play fair <3 <3

B.U.S.Y. is my Name

Let me start off by saying how THANKFUL I am for being so busy.

I love having three active kids who want to run, play, climb, sing and dance. Not to mention the reading, coloring, feeding, etc. I love that they aren't bumps on logs LOL.

I love having a job I can do from home. Though, I wish I made more $$$ doing it... beggars can't be choosy.

& Lastly, my business Only Prettier is really booming!! I would love if you'd check it out. We have tons of stuff!! Handmade jewelry, hair accessories, home decor, some clothing, shoes, bling, pettiskirts, pettirompers, hats, hand crocheted/ knitted goods, etc.

We strive to be a friendly on-line boutique at a reasonable price.

I love what I do and have met tons of women who want to show support. Even men!!

Right now, we are having a CELEBRATION!! We reached 1000+ Fans on FB over the past week so we are celebrating with a huge auction and games w/ prizes at night.

Everything has been very successful!! But we would love to make it even more successful. So please, join us.

Here's a few of the items we have up for auction. Aren't they awesome!!!

What an awesome Photography Prop or Birthday hat!! This fascinator is held on with a headband so it's easy to wear.
$20 starting bid <3

How darling is this Tiana costume!??! Stand out from the crowd!! Starting Bid $22

Who Whoooo Who Doesn't Love this Owl hat!??!  Hand knit beanie... Starting bid $8

Where are my Funky Chunky Jewelry girls?!!? Starting bid $14!!!! WOW.

Every little girl needs an OTT Bow!!! Starting bid $5!!!

Loving this rolled rosette Boutique Headband. Great for Miss or Lil' Miss. Starting Bid $10!!!

Need a sweet photography prop for a baby - tween... this is it!! STATEMENT!! Starting bid $12

 This is JUST A PEAK. There's tons more stuff and tons more vendors. Come by and check us out <3

My Lil Boy Witch

Dear Dalton,

Please, don't hate mommy when you grow up. I promise, I won't show these pictures to your girlfriend/boyfriend (let's be politically correct) when you grow up unless you want me to.

I am sure daddy is going to kill me when he gets home IF he sees these pictures.

Just know I gave you a Hershey Kiss for being so awesome today.

Love,
Mommy, your best friend!!

FYI... D is modeling a witch costume I made for an 18 month old GIRL. I just had to make sure it fit properly before sending it off to a customer.

Holla at OP (pp... Yea, you know me!!) if you want one too!!

My Heart

I love all my kids equally. I never understood how my mom could love my brother and I equally but not the same until I had children of my own... Now, I understand.

This is Alexandra.
She is a spit fire. Like me
She is very, very smart. Like me (lol)
She is caring, funny, and adventurous.

Yet she's a whiner and drama queen. Wow. Again, somewhat like me.

Though she may not look like me... her personality resembles mine. It makes my heart happy.

Pictures editted in LR3 with a few presets and adjustments.

Items modeled can be found on Only Prettier

Time to Share

This past week, Alexandra, Gray & Dal were all choosen to model items from a boutique. It was the first time this had happened and I was ecstatic!!!

All the kids love getting their photos taken... but it has to be on their terms. They are kids. They want to have fun. I respect that and keep it in mind while doing any types of photos.

So, Saturday evening, Brian, the kids and I headed to downtown Cedar Hill to look for some places to take photos. I found this awesome building and thought it would make a perfect back drop.

It was neutral but had great texture... Plus the lighting seemed to really work.

Here are some of my favorite shots:

Unfortunately, Blogger quality of photo when uploaded looks AWFUL!! These photos are crisp and gorgeous. In fact, I will probably frame a few.

They were all taken using my Nikon D90, 50mm f./ 1.8 on manual mode and edited in LR3.

Model Stones

I know all parents are biased on how good looking their kiddos are. I am sure I fall into that category. But y'all... my kids are GORGEOUS!! I am vain when it comes to them... and proud as can be.

Here are some recent photos I took of them modeling ties for Only Prettier

Alex LOVES to model for me.

Dalton and his killer smile

Gray... Man... he's a lady killer!!

Casting Call!!

A few months ago, I was posting on the Fort Worth Camera Facebook Page inquiring about a D90. Below my post was a photographer inquiring about trade in deals for a non-profit organization; Compassion Photography.

I love looking at the creative work of photographers... so, of course, I clicked her name to find out more information.

Boy I am glad I did!!Compassion Photography is a wonderful ministry here in DFW.

They professionally photograph families who are struggling with the illness of a child/children at no cost to the families.

Currently, they are working directly with Cook Childrens Medical Center and their child life specialists.

However, in the last few months, Mia, the founder, has decided to open a sister company to help fund Compassion. She will be launching this sister company on April 1. So mark your calendars and LIKE her Compassion Facebook page for details. I know a little bit about the "details" and it's going to be FANTASTIC!!

The purpose is truly inspiring. Only Prettier proudly donates products to this ministry. Proceeds of each purchase goes to funding things I make for them. It's important for a child to feel important; To feel pretty/ handsome when they are sick. It's important for the families to see their child as a "normal" child for the brief time Mia is taking their photos. It warms my heart knowing I can help.

Here are some of the wonderful photos Mia has captured...

Lil' Miss L

Only Prettier is also excited to be working with Compassion Photography on a Casting Call for a commercial shoot. Who wouldn't be, right?

We are looking for five girls in the DFW area between ages 6-11. Please visit the links posted above for details.

Walking for a Cure

I have a been a bad blogger lately. & for that, I apologize.

There has been a lot going on in the Stone Household:

• Twin's Birthday
• Dalton's First Birthday 
• Holidays
• GETTING REALLY SICK!! {boo}
• Running Only Prettier my lil' business
• Driving to Cali with the 3 kids BY MYSELF!!
• Drawing up plans to build a new house {very excited!! more to come}
• & Most importantly, fundraising for Susan G. Komen Race for The Cure

Throw in everyday duties and my regular job, and I hardly have time to eat ice cream.

The twins' birthday went very well!! We celebrated 3 years of their amazing, little lives.

I would normally post pictures here... EXCEPT, I dropped my old lap top and all the pictures are still on it :(

Dalton's birthday mostly family and a lot smaller. We all had a fantastic time. He's such a charmer.

Then of course... right after birthdays we have Christmas. This year was particularly fantastic!! Alexandra and Gray were very aware of Santa Claus and Baby Jesus.

Christmas morning was very memorable. I am loving this age. Except for the temper tantrums, ALEXANDRA.

Mama & Alex

Daddy & Dal

My sweet face

Gray w/ a box as big as him!!

My princess... and her goofy smile. I am not sure what that's about!!

Christmas Morning... he got LOTS of Thomas goodies... boy he looks skinny here. ECK!

How great is this!?!?1? LOVE

Okay, there was a little look into our Holidays.

I would show you pics of California BUT, I lost my camera at Disneyland. :( It is the most horrible feeling I have had in a really long time. I don't care about my camera... just the images and videos I captured.

For instance, Alex is O B S E S S E D with Tinkerbell. We, Mom/ Grandma the three kids and I, waited 45 mins to meet her. I video Alex's first reactions to Tink. Took tons of pictures etc. Now, they are gone. :(

Anyways... The trip was fantastic. WE always love to catch up with the family. However, my grandma/ Omi, was sick :( so we only saw her once!!! UGH. Not fair. Hopefully she will come out this Spring.

Other things going on... Dalton is walking like a mad mad (since November) but only says a few words. We are working on that though.

Alexandra is very smart!! You can have a conversation with her.

Gray... he is very into Monster Trucks and video games right now. Such a boy.

Me... I am working. I am creating for Only Prettier. & Most importantly, I am fundraising for Susan G. Komen Race for The Cure on April 9 in Ft. Worth Texas.

Late last year, my mom (who is in remission for cervical cancer), had a breast cancer scare. Currently, her doctor's are watching her very closely.

Too many people have been affected by this. WE NEED TO FIND A CURE.

Any donation amount helps.

In fact, if you follow my links to my page and donate $10 or more to the cause, I will give you a free hot pink rosette on your choice of skinnyband or alligator clip

It is very chic... and very lady like. Or it can be very rock and roll!! Just depnds on how you dress with it. I love how it's so universal.

Be on the look out for more posts. As I am trying to be a better blogger again.

Halloween in December?

What can I say? I have been a bit busy!! Sorry.

The last few months have been non stop. With getting the business going (Only Prettier) to planning the twins' 3rd Birthday. Oh, did I mention an awful cold that had us all down for a week, Thanksgiving and family in town!! :)

Woo!! I am out of breath.

Okay. Back to Halloween.

My cousin Tanya came to town to celebrate Halloween with us. It was such a treat. HAHAHA. Get it?!

Sorry... I am a dork.

This year, Alexandra & Gray knew exactly what was going on. They were dressing up and they were going to "Trick Or Treat" people.

We went with a classic Halloween theme for everyone. Gray decided on a Spider. Alex decided she wanted to be a "Rich"... which was really a Witch... and Dalton, well, he didn't really have a choice. Momma made him a Punkin!!

We had a very easy going day... and started to dress up around 5pm. You know I had to take pictures before the sun went down!!

How cute is she wearing my old silver heels?!!?

Here witch costume I made her!! I need to find a better picture

What's not to love about this sweet face!!

Cutest Spider EV---ER!!

We could not get him to sit still!! The fun has begun ;)

Us!! 2010

Secretariat Date

Let me tell you how excited I have been to go see Disney's Secretariat. Since seeing the preview of the movie based upon the journey of the 1973 Triple Crown Winner I have wanted to see this movie. I love the warmth this movie had to offer... it seemed like an adventure!!

So, when the nice ladies at BlogHer sent out an email stating they had some special screening tickets to see Secretariat... I kept my fingers crossed that I was selected to go see the movie!! & since we don't have a local babysitter (in-laws live about an hour and half away) I was hoping I got enough for the whole family; 4 tickets!!

Needless to say, the ladies came through!!

Throughout the day, the excitement built. I asked the Alexandra and Grayson if they'd like to go see a movie, and the answer, was of course, yes!! After seeing Disney's Toy Story 3, the kids have been asking to go back to the movie theater. When I asked them if they wanted to see a movie about horses... they really got excited!!


The kids {love} horses!!

We picked out our outfits... and got all jazzed up to go on our "date". I was sure hoping Brian would be home in time to enjoy the movie with us but he was not. However, a date with three of my favorite people was still pretty awesome!!

We left the house with plenty of time. A rarity in these parts, let me tell you!! Someone either can't find their shoes... or Dalton poos. Something always throws my timing out of whack. But this night was going smooooooth.

When we got to the Studio Movie Grill, where the special screening was being hosted, we walked in and the nice gentleman asked to see my Drivers License to verify who I was. No problem... EXCEPT, I left my wallet at home and had no idea!!!

Seriously, this has never happened before. I was so disappointed in myself.

I was now going to have to strap the kids back into the car and head home (15 mins), get my wallet and head back. Surely, I would be late to the starting of the movie. Was it even worth it to go back to the movies? Would the kids be cranky!!

The nice man would have let me in... the thing is, I didn't have any cash to buy the twins supper. And since the movie was showing at 7:00pm it was dinner time for them and I had planned to eat dinner at the Studio Movie Grill (think Chili's with a movie screen). UGH!!

At this point, I needed to pull the twins aside & explain to them we had to go home real quick.

Oh wow!! That went over about as well as a fart in church!! 

Gray started whining {shocker} & Alex was pouting. Three year olds can't grasp why this was all going on so I completely understood. Especially, since inside, I was whining and pouting too!! I couldn't believe I did this and felt completely horrible.

& out of NOWHERE!! A nice lady came up to me and said, "I overheard your conversation with the kids," (I was being quiet so she must have seen the tears) "Can I please help?" I simply told her we had to go back home because I forgot my wallet. Her response was, "They are so ready to watch the movie...!! How about I lend you some money and you can mail me a check?"

Really!? A complete stranger was going to lend me money to buy the kids supper and trusted I would send her a check. The world is good.

She asked me how much I needed... and told her $10 would be just fine to get them a little something. She gave me $20 and told the kids to have an awesome time.

Thanks to her, we did!!!

Or sort of did.

We watched about a hour's worth of the movie before Dalton started getting a little fussy. He was sleeping just fine until the lady behind cackled really loudly LOL. By this time it was 8:30pm and really time for us to leave... soo we did. :)

What I saw of the movie was fantastic!! I cannot wait to watch the movie in full. In fact, we may just have a date night at home to do so with p' corn and all!!

Thanks BlogHer!!

  

Hair accessories and PettiSkirt supplied by Only Prettier!! 

Take a look if you want!!!

Red White & Blue

Our evening of celebrating our wonderful country's freedom:

Bow courtesy of {Only Prettier}

 

Us Stone's eating Corny Dogs, Fries and Sausage on a Stik!! 

Sparkler time!!