Blog – Stacey Ilyse Photography

A Note on your 5th Birthday – Luca

admin — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 13:04:59 +0000

Happy Birthday Sweet Lu!

How is it that you are turning FIVE!! You my little one, my last baby, my forever baby are growing up. Luca, my sweetie you are THE MOST loving child I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. My little one, my last baby, my forever baby you are growing up.. Your willingness to give hugs and kisses and tell me how much you love us (and most of the time me haha) is something so special about you. You warm the hearts of everyone who gets to know you. Winning them over with that sweet little voice, big blue eyes, slightly messy (even if it’s been brushed) hair, generally happy, spunky and always bopping personality.

You’re fabulous at drawing and love to create pictures of your family, friends, tv shows, dogs, and everything else under the sun. You sing loudly with a beautiful voice and a slight lisp that I just adore and you are still the loudest crier anyone has ever met! You have big feelings and emotions and are very particular about the way things feel or fit which can sometimes make it hard for us – but we are working on it. It will come. You are so smart and even when we think you aren’t paying attention, you are! I love it when you come home from school and tell me in great detail what you learned.

Cooking and helping us in the kitchen – even when we are rushing to get stuff done, not you. You bop in and remind me to slow down and be present, to enjoy you and your sweetness. Recently you graduated preschool and are well on your way to “the big school”. While you will always have the love and devotion of your big sister – you have made some of the most wonderful friendships over the past few years including Alex, Lucia, Hattie, your preschool crew to name a few.

We decided this year to put you and Remy back together in the same room – it has been such a blessing – sharing, working together to resolve problems, bringing comfort to each other, it’s awesome to see. Four has been one of my favorite years with you thus far.. you have changed and grown in so many amazing ways… I can’t WAIT to see what FIVE brings you. Little Bear, you have a heart of gold and kindness. For being such a little person you sure do love BIG! Happy Birthday my most gorgeous angel – I love you so much it makes my heart burst with pride and love.

Love always,
Your Momma.

A Note to my 7 Year Old – Remy

admin — Sat, 24 Nov 2018 19:18:02 +0000

To my sweet, vivacious Big Love. My Remy. On your 7th birthday I want you to know that, I’m blessed to have my dreams come true- to be a momma and of little girls was always in my heart. But I am beyond lucky to have YOU, this amazing person as my daughter. This year was the first time I was able to stop and REALLY see your beauty. We talk more often, snuggle longer at night, I get less frustrated with because I SEE you now. My sweet, caring, kind, SILLY, strong, super smart little girl. When I think of you, I think of kindness. Your ability to figure out how to get what you wants without hurting anyone in the process – it’s a gift, to choose kindness over everything else. To see you choose to make sure Luca is happy too even when the moment is about you, to stand up for someone who needs a friend in their corner even if it means you might get hurt in the process, to stay true to yourself in all aspects- from clothes, music, activities, you are your own self. You give me reason to pause and choose my words wisely when I speak because you take it all in and have always understood more beyond your years. My first born you have taught me so much. Reminding me that life is an adventure, pushing me to show you girls how beautiful this world can be even with the ugly in it- cause that’s what you see. I love your beautiful little face more and more each minute of the day – no matter the parental frustrations, each day being your momma is a joy, a gift, an adventure and honor. I’m lucky I get to see you grow into a beautiful human being.

Fun facts about my girl for her 7th trip around the sun
-She’s all about summertime, swimming, climbing, cheerleading, skateboarding, coloring, listening to music in her room, and the never ending gymnastics moves that drive us all insane. hair and fashion she’s on it. From braids and high ponies to headband selection to skinny jeans, high top sneakers motorcycle jackets and black dresses this girl has always loved fashion and has a style envious of her momma

– her besties remain the same- Luca, Lucia, Abby and Ophelia. While new friends are great always making time for the ones who “knew you when” has been a good lesson already learned.

Bottom line.

You my girl are a force to be reckoned with And I have the privilege to call you my daughter.

Happy birthday my tiny dancer – never forget to walk to the beat of your own drum, sing your heart out, adventure hard, stay kind, love your family fiercely and be strong.
❤️ your momma.

A Note to my 4 year Old – Luca

admin — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 14:09:18 +0000

My Lulu.

HOLY COW we made it to FOUR!!!

My sweet, crazy, imperfectly perfect Luca, you light up my life from the inside out. At 4 you are full of sass and you know it. You love your pup kodak, playing with figurines, your stuffies, listening to The Beatles, anything with chocolate, “pink ravioli”, chicken fingers, your friends Alina, Sidney, Alex and Lucia. You love your sister fiercely but together figured out how to push each others buttons. One of your favorite things to do is have sleepovers with your sissy, and at night you like lay in your bed and “read” books till you fall asleep. You know how to write you name, recently figure out how to pump your legs on the swing, you love to color like crazy – you’re a fabulous artist, and always want to “get it right” when you are creating something and I commend you for it. You still love to make a mess wherever you go and seek out mischief.

I love that at teacher conferences the teacher tells me that you can.not.sit.still. You need be busy all the time – YET, when asked a question about the book or lesson you know the answers inside and out, know exactly what is going on even though it seems like you arent. You give some of the VERY best hugs, snuggles and kisses and have the best laugh. Oh, and still the LOUDEST little tiny person I know. You never stop moving, climbing, dancing, wiggling or singing that is, until you find your figurines, or a coloring book- then you are in the zone for as long as I let you. I LOVE that you are content to play on your own, dont often ask for TV, and are happiest to be at home. To others you can come across frustrating, difficult maybe even infuriating! … but for all the annoying times you pull on my clothes, jump on my back for a strangulating hug, and have the unnecessary tantrums – I love you more each moment of the day even still.

I seem to “get” you – and you get me. I love how when I tell you “I wanna eat you up! You yell WITH KISSES!? I say of course, and you respond OK- GO!” At the start of year 4 I wish you the best of everything yet to come.. more snuggles, kisses, more learning, reading, time together as a family… more fun with our friends and lots of time playing and living your best life.

As we say to each other on the daily, “Luca, stay my little baby forever… never get big and grow up.” You reply – “Ok Momma! You write to the tooth fairy and tell her – I’M GONNA STAY YOUR BABY FOREVER.” DONE. Im writing that tooth fairy on.the.daily. Please, stay my sweet sweet sweet babe for a lifetime. Stay kind, loving, perfect, crazy, and unapologetically YOU.

I love you always. Happy Birthday my sweet baby bear.

Love, Mommy.

#Tommystrong and Tackle Kids Cancer PSK Donation

admin — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 17:30:32 +0000

If you’ve been waiting for a deal to grab your oily starter kit, I have a pretty kick ass good one for you.

APRIL 15th is a day that I will always remember, it is the day my dad, Norman lost his fight with cancer. As a way to give back and support a cause near and dear to my heart.

For every kit sold from now until April 15th 2018, I am donating $25 to raise money to support Tackle Kids Cancer and Tommy Fitzpatrick in honor of my dad, Norman Weinberg

You can grab your Premium Starter Kit as a wholesale member here.

And if you don’t want a kit and just want to donate, you can do that here

XOXO
Stacey

Childhood Memories.

admin — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 09:21:12 +0000

Do you have a favorite photo from your childhood? One that you look at and memories and feelings just come RUSHING back at you? This photo does that to me. It is connected to some many visual memories of this time in my childhood… to my dad…my family. Every year my parents and I, along with my uncle (dad’s brother), my Aunt and my cousins would go on a few family trips together.. we did a lot of things together as kids actually.

But this was one of the summer trips we would take. We’d go to the New Jersey Balloon Festival. Stay at a nearby hotel, swim, go in and out of the festival, watch the balloons go up and down, and all that fun stuff that went along with it. I just remember the hot, summer air, the sounds, all the people… I remember swimming at the pool in the hotel and I have VERY vague memories of the mayhem that the adults took on – (I know from stories that when the 4 of them got together it was always a little “ridiculous”). So, this photo feels extra special to me. It has people I love in it, a place that holds a memory so dear. ⠀
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Do you have a memory like this…?

What have you read lately…?

admin — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 12:16:32 +0000

It’s a new year – and resolution keeping is HIGH right now. Ever since I’ve read, The Japanese Art of Tidying Up – I’ve made a conscious decision to do my darnedest to simplify. It’s been an on going process, I won’t lie. Sometimes I fall off the wagon.. But overall the concepts in the book are good ones and I try to stick with them in ways that work for us – they give you the PUSH you need to open the drawers and get rid of the stuff you dont TRULY NEED.. things that dont bring you joy. I remember the first round I did after reading the book – I went into my cabinets and got rid of all the old medicine, hair products, etc.. I then did the same thing for my kids toys, my clothes (which I think needs to happen again btw… Im in phase where i just wanna wear BLACK…?! 🤷‍♀️) But yah, It was refreshing. ⠀
So, maybe add this to your list – even if it’s just a short term resolution… simplify. Do we REALLY need 10 of the same shirt – esp if we dont LOVE it…? Do we NEED 10 bottles of shampoo – or just one really amazing organic one?! Im slowly simplifying my life, letting go of excess. Getting rid of the TOXIC things in my life. If I could, I would pick up and move to a tiny house and go extreme – but I think my husband would KILL ME. So for now, Im going to just purge, purge, purge.

One Month DOWN – 2018 here we come!

admin — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 11:30:15 +0000

2017 was an interesting year for me. I had plenty of professional “highs”. Things like; accomplishing my 365 project, creating and executing my workshop and mentorship offerings, featured on blogs, FB pages, paid magazine ad, photographed lots of wonderful, amazing families along the way, I feel as though in many ways I had “Arrived”, yet I felt the walls closing in more and MORE… I struggled A LOT with happiness and contentment in my work life. I felt the strain of work vs life balance pull, tug and twist me more then ever before. I completely broke down. I felt content as a family of 4 but toyed with the idea of more babies just as an excuse to shut my doors (which is a foolish reason to have a baby), I realized I had hit a financial ceiling and thought screw it, less bookings would make me happier, but it’s hard when you need to contribute to your family’s monetary well being.. so I kept up with my hustle regardless of our happiness. ⠀⠀
⠀⠀After MUCH discussion with family and friends, 2017 suddenly became a year of new opportunity. Sometimes you cross paths with the right person at the right moment and a lightbulb goes off, the answer becomes suddenly clear. Photography is a HUGE part of me. My 15 year business is not closing it’s doors – BUT I have decided at the same time I need to refocus my energy into this amazing opportunity for personal and financial freedom. Towards the end of 2017 I started on a path of family wellness, chemical free living, healthy eating, fitness, and simplifying our lives. I am BEYOND excited about my new opportunity and the friendships I have started to cultivate on this journey. 2018 here I come… this is my year for CHANGE – life change, financial change, wellness change.

Im not always Perfect…

admin — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 10:08:16 +0000

Im not always a perfect mother – ok – like 80% of the time Im pretty sure Im FAR from a perfect mother… I lose my cool, I have a hard time balancing work/life, I get tired of their antics, Im not always one to play with them when they want (It’s just not my “thing”) The beauty of children, as long as there is love and it is there and they know it – they dont remember all the imperfect moments.. they remember the perfect ones. They love us no matter what. They see us as perfect when we see imperfect. In this moment – I opted to play, to build to be present… They will remember THIS moment – and that is ALL that matters.

I am Momma Hear me Roar

admin — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 08:24:13 +0000

On any given day we show our true colors, we show where we succeed as people. As parents, spouses, children, co-works, etc… we all have MANY weaknesses, moments and areas that we want to do better, be better. But rather then focus on the negative, Be positive show your strengths. For me, a strength that I had learn over time, to build confidence in, to find and surround myself with people who appreciate me for ME – This strength, one of individuality.. of free spirt.. it is a strength I pride myself on. It’s one I am instilling in my girls on the daily. It might be frustrating when they “run a muck”, sing at the top of their lungs in whole foods, I might cringe at their outfit choices and backwards shoes – yet, at the same time – I am proud. I NEVER want my children to feel they need to compare, compete, feel less than, or shut down by someone else. It’s not always easy to be you- to wear your curly hair while everyone else want it straight, or stand up for a friend when they are being picked on, to dance to the music in their head, to lay down in a parking lot and do snow angels cause it makes them happy 🤷‍♀️, – but if my girls continue to show spirit and wear it proud.. I’ve done something right as their mother. ⠀

Wintertime Blues

admin — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 09:09:57 +0000

Mornings in the burbs. My distain for the winter months continues… but there is no denying the beauty that surrounds me. I’m doing my best to look at the good that I have in my life, my family, friends, home, CHILDREN, new opportunities!! It’s a lot. I find winter to be hard.on.my.soul. Im a lover of warmth, the heat of a hot car before the A/C kicks in, the windows open and the air breezing in… the sounds of my girls running to the swings before breakfast… those moments are priceless to me. I have seen people and businesses flourish in the warmth… the cold brings hibernation, standstills, and dark. I need to remember to look at this light in front of me and push forward, one foot in front of the next… It will be here soon enough.