Dec
10
2014Meet Connie. She’s 38 weeks pregnant with baby number 2 and she’s been up most of the night with contractions.
She checked into Greenville Hospital system early in the morning and was already 6 cm.
Connie shamelessly begged for and loved her epidural.
And then she waited and waited and waited. I snuck into document her birth at around 8 centimeters and the hospital was hopping. Connie still hadn’t seen her on-call OB because of 5 back to back deliveries.
So we passed the time watching Korean dramas, sniffing Connie’s pregnancy scent of choice (dial soap), swapping stories about past births, giving Connie hair massages (where I was dubbed the doula-photographer), Facebook messaging with her friend Karen in Germany, and laughing away with our most amazing nurse Kathy (who is also a photographer!).
Finally Connie got to see her on-call doctor (her favorite!) and then he ran off real quickly to eat lunch around 5pm.
And then it was time to meet sweet baby girl Allie. Kathy was amazing. I can’t stress that enough. A few practice pushes and then the most beautiful and peaceful delivery I’ve ever seen.
Below is the video slideshow of Connie’s birth and sweet older sister Abbie meeting her for the first time.
Interested in having your birth story captured so that you can relive every detail? I only book a very limited number of birth photography sessions each year (less than 6!) so contact me today to see if we’re a good fit!
Nov
26
2014If you’re looking to shop small in Greenville, SC on Small Business Saturday, here’s my categorized guide of some of the best local places to shop.
Local #ShopSmall Promotions
Greenville
Simpsonville
For Expecting Mamas and New Babies
Quiet Graces Photography
(864) 915-4045
I’m offering two packages for the expecting mama and babies on your list:
- A New Baby Package: A newborn mini session (1 hour, 2 set ups, 5 digital files, but no siblings allowed), and a 20×30 canvas for just $349. Valued at nearly $500, this steal is only available until Monday, November 24th. This is the perfect baby shower or Christmas gift for the expecting mama!
- A $100 gift card good toward any session for just $75 (price only valid until Christmas)
Haute Mama
(864) 585-7003
Haute Mama in Spartanburg specializes in stylish clothing that a mama can wear before, during, and after pregnancy/while nursing. Her entire store is 25% off for the weekend!!!
Baby Furniture Plus Kids
(864) 284-0920
Save $110 on select 4-in-1 convertible cribs.
Full Nursery Sets starting at just $599
Needs for New Moms
Infant CPR Class taught in your home for 2 people $25 (reg.$50) within a 30 mile radius of Greenville, SC. Purchased on Saturday only. Send email on Saturday to laura@needsfornewmoms.com if wanting to purchase. Visit my website www.needsfornewmoms.com for more services available.
Poppy Consultants Pregnancy Prep and Planning
Poppy Consultants is offering 10% off of any of her packages. From bed rest packages to nursery organization to postpartum visits, Katie has many packages catered to help the new mom.
La-Di-Da Baby
Home of the most beautiful and practical crib savers, pack-n-play sheets, and burp cloths. The entire store is 15% a purchase of $5 or more with the code: CHRISTMAS2014. Click here to shop.
Petite Parade
Luxury Strollers and all accessories in store are 15% off! Includes well known brands such as Bugaboo, Joovy, Bumbleride, Britto, Quinny, and Stokke.
Snap Life Photography
Megan Bowen at Snap Life Photography specializes in utterly stunning birth photography and films. Her work takes my breath away. She’s offering an incredible $300 off birth videography from now until December 31st, 2014!
Modern Cloth
15% off orders over $45 and free stocking stuffer for all orders over $75. Free shipping for orders over $100. No code necessary. Click here to shop.
Whippersnappers
(864) 239-2266
Maternity Clothes at Whippersnappers will be 20% on Saturday. Open from 10-5.
Children’s Clothing
Vann and Liv
(864) 520-8118
Vann and Liv carries boutique children’s clothing including Persnickety and ToobyDoo.
10-2pm 25% off
2-6pm 15% off
Moppets
(864) 233-6261
Moppets carries boutique children’s clothing including Mustard Pie and Tea Collection.
All Fall/Winter Clothing will be 25% off.
Bargain Babies
(864) 228-2223
A Children’s consignment store in the Simpsonville Area.
Extended hours for small business Saturday from 9-2
10% off any stroller.
Everyone who makes a purchase will be entered to win a $50 gift card!
For the Fiber Lover
Yarn and Ya’ll
20% off Yarn
15% off Everything else (excluding classes, yarn bowls, gift certificates, and sale items)
If you become a VIP member you’ll receive an extra 10% off!!!
Door prizes every hour!
Special gifts for $75 and $150 purchases!
Toys and Electronics
The Elephants Trunk
(864) 2324731
10% discount on all Kickboard Scooters!
Chick-a-Pearl Dolls
(864) 978-5245
This sweet little boutique opened on October 11, 2014 and features 18″ doll clothing and accessories for your little girl.
It’s the Potatoes
Specializes in items for mamas and Waldorf toys for the little ones. Everything in the Etsy shop is 25% off from now through November 30, 2014 with coupon code SMALLBUSINESS
i-Store of Greenville
(864) 236-8383
Valid only on Small Business Saturday
• Get up to $50.00 off any iPad ($25.00 Discount off any iPad , additional *25.00 off iPad AppleCare)
• Get up to $100.00 off any Mac ($50.00 Discount off any Mac in stock, additional $50.00 off Mac AppleCare )
• $75.00 off any iPad Air Cellular Model3 (Offer applies only to remaining iPad Air stock on-hand, does not apply to iPad Air 2 models. )
Jewelry
Skatells Jewelers
(864) 288-2501
1/5 carat 14kWG Diamond Bezel Necklace, Reg $1227.00 Sale $699.00
Angelica Stackable Bracelets, Reg $25.00 Sale $15.99
Black & White Diamond Jewelry 40% off
Off The Cuff Flexible Pearl & Gemstone Bracelet, Reg. $35.00 Sale $16.99
Storewide Sale 30% – 50% Off* (*excluding engagement rings, wedding bands and loose diamonds, in stock items only)
Home Decor and Gifts
Mandolyn Makes
Mandolyn Makes Creates handcrafted soaps from natural and sustainable sourced ingredients. Discount code HAPPYHOLIDAYS14 will give you 30% off any order $15 or more from her Etsy shop. Good through 12/7/2014
Gingerly Stated
Gingerly Stated sells gifts and home decor (including licensed Clemson items!) 15% off orders over $30 – coupon code 15smallbiz2014. 20% off orders over $50 20smallbiz2014. If located in Greenville, shipping will be refunded and order delivered for free. Code will be good until Dec. 1. Order from her Etsy Store!
Branches and Burlap
(864) 525-3994
25 % off the entire home decor shop at our new location in Palmetto Home and Garden 2242 Laurens Rd.
Food Gifts
Palmetto Olive Oil (Greenville) and Olive and Then Some (5 Forks Area)
(864) 298-0304
Free 60 mL bottle of oil or vinegar with a $30 purchase.
Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery
– Giveaway: if you tweet or instagram from the store and tag us on Saturday and you’ll be entered to win a locally made cutting board!
– Kleen Kanteen travel coffee mugs- 2 for $40 plus free cup of coffee with purchase
– tshirts- 2 for $30
– local chocolate and bagged coffee $1 off (the perfect stocking stuffers for everyone on your list!)
Beauty, Health, and Fitness
The Crazy Oil Ladies
The Crazy Oil Ladies with Young Living essential oils are offering a FREE guide to essential oils with a purchase of a Premium Starter Kit on Small Business Saturday. If you’ve heard anything about the benfits of using essential oils and are thinking about getting started, take advantage if this great offer!
Click this link to sign up as a member and purchase the kit
After your kit has been ordered, one if the Crazy Oil Ladies will contact you regarding where to ship your free Essential Oils Pocket Reference. This offer applies to new Young Living members only.
If you have any questions or would like more information on becoming a Young Living member, please contact Esther at The Crazy Oil Ladies: 864-201-9505 or email TheCrazyOilLadies@gmail.com. Be sure to check out their Facebook page for more specials and giveaways!
Mary Kay: Heather Pratt
I always offer free shipping and will offer 15% off with the promo code KAG. Www.marykay.com/heatherpratt
Fleet Feet
(864) 235-4800
On Black Friday, Fleet Feet will feature door busters including gift certificates for the first 50 customers and prizes packs from 10-12.
GPS watches and Vivio Fit are just $100!
$10 off shoes. Socks are buy 3, get one free. Apparel, Bras, and CEP are Buy 1 Get one 50% off.
Jamberry
Email kassiaowens@gmail.com to recieve 15% off you purchase on and a free wrap with $50 or more purchase on Saturday Only.
Nov
25
2014Curls and twirls
And round about whirls
Sugar and spice
And everything nice
That’s what Raegan is made from.
A little out of my ordinary genre of photography, but, oh so fun! A special commission session for wall art, this session was about capturing Raegan’s love of music and movement.
And the related love of dresses that swirl around her legs while dancing.
These curls… the way they fall. Breathtaking.
Thank you for letting me stretch my creative muscles and enjoy sweet Raegan.
Nov
11
2014
I get to see this sweet family again this week for Wyatt’s cake smash session and I’m so excited!
Wyatt was 8 months old for his first session in his baby plan. And he was on the move! Crawling and rolling and exploring and smiling and basically giving us all a fantastic workout.
But when his mommy Heather sang…. oh, ya’ll, it took my breath away. His body would stop and he would look for her and smile. “Itsy Bitsy Spider” was nearly as powerful as a Broadway show. Wyatt’s little heart was filled by his mother’s love.
It’s so magical this power mama’s have to show their babies love. Utterly captivating.
The best part about photographing this season in babyhood is capturing all of the faces these little ones make. It’s hilarious! This is a face that Wyatt’s daddy makes 🙂
Okay… I lied… maybe the best part about a 6-9 month old are all these sweet adorable chubby rolls. This is the season of babyhood that makes me want another little one.
This little natural wood bird teether I keep in my studio is from Little Sapling Toys. Everyone loves it!
Wyatt is a member of my baby plan. I’m totally looking forward to Wyatt and his family again soon for his 1 year photos!
Are you interested in having your little one photographed regularly during their first year?
Baby Planners pay one low fee of just $299 for four 1 hour sessions in their first two years (not including a newborn session). Most clients choose roughly 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. All clients receive a complimentary cake smash for the first birthday session.
Have some questions about a baby plan with Quiet Graces? Great! Click here to contact me today!
Oct
25
2014
My little guy turned 3 last weekend. Time… it’s so relentless. I feel like he was born just yesterday… and now our “baby” is three.
Like with his sister’s last month, I was able to spend a special morning out with him to just hang with him and photograph him. As he is. Right now.
So meet Sedryn Justice Colton: my meticulous little guy.
The world is his problem to solve and he will solve it… if he has “Baa Baa” with him.
He can sit still for over an hour with a puzzle or legos, but can’t manage to stay sitting for any meal (without discipline)… unless it’s ice cream.
He likes to roar almost as much as he likes to “nuggle”.
I’m pretty sure this little dude completes our world
And if he walks up to me looking like this again….
with these in his hand just for me….
I
just
may
melt.
