I am winding down the sessions I have left to edit so I am finding a little time to squeeze in some holiday decorating. Most years, I set up our Christmas tree in our family room but have always wanted my tree in the front bay window and have set it up there this season. Missing the twinkle lights as I cozy up with my family in the evenings, I decided I needed to add some holiday decor with lights to my TV room mantel.

Thankfully, I have some incredibly creative friends who share their ideas on social media for me to copy! This idea is completely stolen from my dear friend, Ami, owner of Ella Mella Market. She is an insanely talented artist {and also, she looks so much like me that everyone thinks we're sisters}. I give her all credit -- my only idea was to photograph the steps and blog it for all to share!

Gather your supplies!

• 5 yard sticks (Ami's tip: buy them from the paint section because they are the least expensive. I paid $.98 per stick at Lowes!)
• White Paint - I had Annie Sloan Old White paint on hand
• 100 Christmas lights
• Hot Glue

Then go on IG while you wait for the paint to dry. Like IG? Me too. A LOT!

Flip sticks over and paint the back. My star was going to go up against a mirror so both sides needed to be white. If you're just backing to a non-relfective surface, skip this step!

If you feel you need more time on Instagram, go ahead and let the paint dry under your careful supervision. :)

Paint a second coat, if you'd like.

Once everything has dried, set your yard sticks up so they form a star. Then hot glue the pieces together. Seriously, does it get any easier!?

Then, run to Target because you will need white lights on a WHITE string. And that didn't come to mind until just.this.second.

Wrap those white lights all around your star.

If you're feeling you need some greenery, hook up that mantel with some fresh garland.

And some Mason jars with white candles. I love Mason jars. #masonjarallthethings

Voila!! Super easy, super inexpensive twinkly lights for the mantel!

Why shop this Monday when you can WIN!?

PBJ has had an amazing 2013 and that is all thanks to YOU - all my beautiful, wonderful clients and fans!

Instead of sales this Cyber Monday, I am saying THANKS and giving away a full session in the spring of 2014. Yup. I said FULL. Not mini. Not just just a couple of files. Not just a print or two. A full photo session with 15 digital image files included. 

There are a few terms and conditions like… you probably want to live in the DC metro area to enter or else you might have to travel quite a ways for your session that will take place in Fairfax County or Eastern Loudoun County… and I'd prefer if you were a nice person (meanies need not enter!!)… and the session is limited to 4 individuals… and newborns and boudoir are excluded… so, be sure to read all the fine print! :) A signed contract and model release will be required.

Already on my calendar for 2014? Don't be shy! Enter anyway! I'll drop those fees for ya' if you're my winner!

Like my Facebook page and follow me on Instagram to enter!! Easy peasy!

Good luck and I can't wait to see you in 2014!!!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

The government shutdown kept our original plan for a National Mall engagement session from happening -- but I think it was a blessing in disguise because Georgetown at sunset is so romantic. It's a perfect spot for an adorable couple to snuggle and smooch and run into the middle of traffic for their engagement photos. And with a stop at my very favorite place, Baked + Wired, for a cupcake tasting... I don't think anything could beat it.

Katie is the unbelievably gorgeous cousin of my best friend who I was lucky enough to meet a few years ago when we moved to DC. A ridiculous amount of dinners at Lauriol Plaza and a bunch of Yacht Rock concerts later and I feel lucky to know her as a friend. She is as sweet as she is beautiful and no one deserves a life full of love and happiness more.

I met Jeff  when Katie brought him on their third date to a 70s cover-band concert we were all attending and introduced us. Poor thing handled all of us asking him a million questions (probably slightly slurred questions, at that) and prying into what he thought of our dear cousin/friend. Luckily, we didn't scare him off because he is a gem himself.

Thank you guys so much for trusting me to step away from my usual under-five crowd of photography subjects to photograph your special moments!! Cheers to the happy (and gorgeous) couple! We are all very excited for you!

My friend, Mandie, is that person. The kind of person who makes everyone laugh and then is also the one with the laugh you can hear across the room. Her joy is infectious. She is the one who always makes you feel like you're the most special person in the room. The kind of person who touches your arm when she talks to you and asks you questions until she understands. The one who cries fifteen times in a day because she feels all the good in the world and in people. She is the one who makes every effort to be there for anyone - truly, anyone - who needs her.

Mandie is that person who donates money to those in need while trying to figure out how to afford things for her own family. Mandie is that person who works all day and then stays up until 3am because she is making another one of her amazing cakes -- for a party given to a child with cancer or a hospital fundraiser.

Why? Why does she do it? Because she believes in it. She believes in giving. Mandie is simply the good in the world. She is the kind of person who gives her all to others -- for absolutely no other reason than to simply give.

This weekend, Mandie, owner of Got What It Cakes, will be honored in our hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina for all of her amazing volunteer and charity work. Leading up to this award ceremony, she is raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in hopes that she can use this opportunity to give back, yet again. I want nothing more than for her to be named the STANDOUT Charlottean.

So, I am raffling off a PB&J minisession to those who donate just $5 to her campaign!

Follow this link HERE and make a minimum $5 donation to enter the raffle. $5 is all it takes but feel free to donate as much as you like! Then, leave a comment on this blog stating that you donated and you'll be entered to win!

The Details:

1. This raffle is open to absolutely everyone but the minisession must take place in Fairfax County, VA sometime in the year 2013 so keep that in mind if you're not in driving distance! :) And if you're far away, hey, it's only $5! Feel free to enter for the sheer good of it!!

2. Minisessions are for up to 4 people, last 20 minutes and come with 5 full resolution digital images of your choosing from a private online gallery. The perfect session for the holidays!

3. In order to leave a comment without signing in to a google account, you may select "anonymous" -- but you must leave your name and an email address in your comment so I can enter you and also, contact you, should you win!

4. I will make sure that the randomly selected winner did actually make a donation, so no cheater-pants, please!

5. If you have already purchased a minisession from me, you can still enter! I will return my fee to you if you are the winner!! :)

6. This giveaway ends on Thursday October 10th at 11:59pm! The ceremony is on Saturday, so let's do this NOW!!!

7. Don't forget to like mine and Mandie's Facebook Pages! It has nothing to do with the giveaway, we just really like having new friends!

Good luck everyone!!! Let's make it happen!!

AS A PHOTOGRAPHER, I ESPECIALLY LOVE TWO THINGS: LIGHT AND EMOTION.

THIS NEWBORN SESSION WAS AN INCREDIBLE MIX OF BOTH OF THOSE GLORIOUS THINGS AS THE LOW LIGHT ON A RAINY DAY PLAYED SO DRAMATICALLY INTO THIS FAMILY'S SPECIAL MOMENT OF WELCOMING THEIR DAUGHTER INTO THEIR LIVES.

AFTER HAVING MY TWO BOYS, I LOVED THOSE COUPLE OF DAYS IN MY HOSPITAL ROOM. OK. OK. HINDSIGHT IS 20/20 AND I'M MENTALLY BLOCKING OUT THE PART WHERE I SHARED A ROOM AND HAD TO WALK PAST A STRANGER'S LARGE, VISITING FAMILY JUST TO USE THE BATHROOM. I MIGHT HAVE CALLED MY HUSBAND WHO WENT HOME TO GRAB A FEW THINGS IN TEARS BEGGING HIM TO COME GET ME BEFORE I WAS MOVED TO A PRIVATE SUITE AN HOUR LATER... :) BUT SERIOUSLY, WITH ENOUGH IGNORING OF MINOR DETAILS, I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT I LOVED IT: THE TEENY-TINY BRACELETS, THE BLUE & PINK STRIPED BLANKETS AND HATS, ALL THOSE TRAINED PROFESSIONALS THERE TO HELP ME AND THIS AMAZING NEW PERSON TO LOVE. THE HOSPITAL STAY IS THE FIRST STOP IN A LIFETIME OF MEMORIES WITH YOUR NEW BABY. IT IS HARD. BUT IT IS SPECIAL.

AND IT MAKES FOR BEAUTIFUL NEWBORN IMAGES.

CHECK OUT THIS LITTLE GUY. HE WAS BORN ON A WEDNESDAY WEIGHING ELEVEN AND A HALF POUNDS - READY TO TAKE ON HIS TWO BIG BROTHERS - AND TO STEAL HIS MAMA'S HEART.

I am never really sure how to control my excitement when I am hired to photograph little girls. Don't get me wrong, I just adore little boys. I have two of my own. Three, if my husband counts {which he kind of does}. But bows and ruffles and twirling - who doesn't melt for that?

I photographed these two GORGEOUS sisters to capture their September birthdays. I'm still swooning.