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I have been a Purex Insider for quite a while now.  I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the brand and finding out about new products.  It’s so funny how excited I get about new laundry solutions. As a mom of a toddler, laundry is pretty much in my life everyday.  It’s not exactly FUN, but Purex has made it less work for sure! Not only is the company dedicated to finding new solutions to common laundry problems and issues (Purex Laundry App, anyone?!) but they’ve come out with super cute new videos called Let’s Be Honest.

In order to promote their newest product, Tripe Action detergent, Purex is allowing me to give away THREE coupons for a free bottle!  This contest is only open for a few days and all you have to do it tell me your favorite video.  How easy is that?! There will be 3 winners, 1 coupon each and you can enter DAILY! Good luck!

I recently posted about being selected by Carlton Hair for a hair makeover. I was so excited when I found out that I called and was able to book an appointment the next day!

If you haven’t heard of Carlton Hair, salons are located in California, with convenient locations throughout Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego and San Francisco.  It’s said that stylists at Carlton Hair take cues from runway trends and the latest lookbooks to create wearable works of art.  In addition to the latest cuts and styling, Carlton Hair color services are a step above the rest. Professional colorists at Carlton Hair use extraordinary Goldwell color to find your dream hair shade – from the darkest blue-black to sun-kissed blonde highlights for the summer months!

When I was younger I used to get crazy with my hair.  Since I’m an adult and very visible in my job, I can’t do anything too extreme – such a disappointment for me.  I’ve been bored with my hair for about 3 years now and haven’t really done much with it since before my daughter.  I couldn’t wait to visit Carlton Hair because I was sure ready for a change!

I arrived at the salon and was taken in right away. I met my hairstylist, Rachel, and we started to discuss what I wanted for my hair.  Truth be told, I had no idea. I wanted a change but didn’t have many ideas as to what style I liked or even what color(s) and how I wanted the color to be displayed.  Previously, I’ve just told the hairstylist to do whatever they wanted.  (That method actually turned out to be a mistake because I kept getting the SAME cut!)  This time I brought the few pictures that I included in my last post to give a little bit of direction and told her about my color limitations, but overall I wanted to hear her opinions.  Rachel brought out a color book and mentioned a few options to me – from going darker to coppers and violets and blondes.  All of her ideas sounded amazing but I went with a main copper panel for the front and copper highlights in the back to tie it all together.  As for the cut – that was still up to her!

During my visit, Rachel told me about her experiences with the company and how much she really enjoys what she does.  It was amazing how different the stylist’s attitudes are when they work for a great company as opposed to just renting a chair/space. If felt great to know that someone who loves hair and loves style was working with me.  In fact, she told me that Carlton Hair has a pretty lengthy process for becoming a stylist and follows up with monthly classes and lots of contests, hair shows, and industry get togethers.  I LOVE the idea of continuously learning in your own field, especially when it revolves around fashion and style.  It really is true that Carlon Hair takes cues from the runways!

As far as customer service is concerned, this place gets top marks.  Everyone was very friendly and seemed happy and eager to please.  While I did let the salon know that I was there for review purposes, I was also impressed by what other stylists were doing around me.  Of course everyone mentioned the brands they used by name but what I liked was they also said why they were being used – from the shampoo and conditioner to the finishing sprays, ect.  I felt like I not only received an amazing hair cut but also a hair education.

My husband was along for the ride but left for the actual color processing and cut.  He came back right as we were finishing up and he was blown away! Rachel took my want for a big change and really went for it!  I ended up with an asymmetrical cut that is super short and pixie like on one side and gets longer as it goes around.  You can’t quite see it in the photo below, but I wanted to show how super clean and modern the salon is and, of course, give a huge shoutout to Rachel. You did an amazing job! Still loving it!

And now, drum roll please…

So, you can see the change is huge and I’m still loving it.  I didn’t really know how to do my hair before and I love that this style is pretty low maintenance but I can still rock it different ways. I actually have wavy hair so I can wear it wavy or straight, smooth or punky, down or pinned back… and each style is so easy to do (really, because I can do it.)

Like I mentioned before, when I’m not busy being a mommy or out photographing, I work in a restaurant and come in contact with hundreds of people a day. So far everyone has loved the makeover!  The best part of it for me is how a change like this makes me feel – I feel so rejuvenated, almost new!  I’m totally a “go bold or go home” ambassador now!

If you live near a Carlton Hair salon or know someone who does, you’re in luck!

There’s a 20% off coupon available to all first time clients until 7/31!  Happy Hair Coloring!

I received a gift card to cover my expenses but I was not compensated in any way for a positive review. All opinions and experiences are my own.

Summer is now officially here and the weather around here definitely confirms that!

Totsy has some great sales on summer time shoes for the little ones that you don’t want to miss!

Flower Printed Sneakers with Glitter Strap ($7.50) & Leopard Printed Velcro Shoe ($6.75)

Boys Sandal ($16) & Flower Sandal ($16) by The Strawberry Cottage

Like always, Totsy is full of amazing deals. Other sales include:

- shoes for the fashionable Mom
- Sesame Street watches
- Lil’ Rider battery-powered jeeps and three-wheeled motorcycles (Most under $100!)
- kitchen electronics and decor
- Martha Steward craft kits

and more!

Happy Wordless Wednesday!

Here’s a sneak peak at an engagement session I’m working on:

I just found out that I was chosen as a blogger to review Carlton Hair!  I’m so excited because I’ve been eying some sassy short hairstyles for the past couple of weeks.  When I was younger, I used to get crazy with my hair. I’ve had it every length and color combination you can imagine and I totally miss it! I know I’m a bit more adult now and I work in customer service so I can’t get too wild, but I’m still SO EXCITED! I haven’t done anything to my hair in a very, very long time and I’m ready for a big change.  From the reviews I’ve read online about Carlton Hair and what they say about themselves on their website, it seems like the perfect salon to go to for this!

I called my local Carlton Hair salon and was able to snag an appointment for tomorrow! Talk about not waiting around, right?  As part of the review, I’ll post before and after pictures as well as pix from the salon itself.  Now I just have to decide which hairstyle I’d like to go for. Before I’d let the stylist decide and do what they’d like but here’s some of my ideas… (I don’t plan to go blonde though! As of now, my hair is brown and to my mid-back.)

What do you think?

THERE! I SAID IT!

I was too overwhelmed with the thought that I completely just ignored it altogether. In fact, the day before her birthday, another mom volunteered to throw a party and even that overwhelmed me. Well, I’m now almost two years into motherhood and I think I’ve got it together a little better than last year. I do admit, though, that I’ve never actually planned and thrown a party so I’m still overwhelmed but I’ve forced myself to do it.  At (almost) two, Jaelyn seems very aware that she deserves a celebration and that mommy needs to figure it out! I took her to our local Party City and let her pick out her own theme and colors.  She’s very opinionated so I knew this wouldn’t be too tough.  She choose Dora (surprise, surprise) and yellow plates with a bright pink tablecloth.  That night I did a little shopping online and got her themed plates for the kids, large plates for the adults, table cloths, birthday banner, plain white cups (BOGO!), a Balloon Time kit, and party favors with bags.  While I’m all for a themed party, I don’t want to go over the top so just a few things are Dora/Diego and the rest are just plain items in bright colors. I was able to get 30% off plus cheap shipping so I spent a very small amount of money actually! So far Party City seems like a lifesaver. We’ll have to see how things hold up.

Last year Jaelyn was afraid of bounce houses but she’s gotten over it and now LOVES them. I Yelped (yup, that’s a verb) and found a great, local bounce house rental company.  I’ve ordered a package deal which includes a bounce house, sno cone machine, and tables and chairs.  We already have a few outdoor toys that I plan to arrange on the back lawn to keep kids busy there.  Overall, I think I have my bases covered.  But again, this is my first party so I’m probably overlooking a lot.

The box from Party City arrived a few days ago and it’s almost worse having everything here but not being able to set up!  I’m totally a stressed out Mom right now, just trying to make a fun party for my daughter, but heck, she’s only 2 and won’t remember, appreciate, or even care!

I’m pretty excited about the bounce house though – not going to lie!

I’ve also been busy busy busy doing shoots!  I was up until the wee hours editing my favorite shots from an engagement session I did yesterday.  While the photos themselves aren’t ready, here’s a sneak peak:

I actually introduced them to each other years ago although I try not to admit that.   I’m so excited that I was able to do this shoot for them and that I’ll be included in their wedding!  It’ll actually be my first wedding ever, so I’m pretty pumped.

I’ve also been spending as much time as possible with this pigtailed cutie, of course!

We spend our days Scuttlebuggin’ around the block and picking out new recipes to try from our new Taste of Home Cooking School Cookbook. (Full review coming soon.)

I update Instagram with images daily and you’re welcome to follow me on the app if you’re also a member! I’m heyitscorie or you can view my feed on statigr.am.

]]> http://andhercamera.com/blog/2012/05/wordless-wednesday-funny-faces.html/feed 1 jfunnyface2 jfunnyface2 jfunnyfaces http://andhercamera.com/blog/2012/05/wordless-wednesday-funny-faces.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hercamera/~3/szjysgxhvX4/toddler-child-photography-tatum.html http://andhercamera.com/blog/2012/05/toddler-child-photography-tatum.html#comments Mon, 21 May 2012 23:00:40 +0000 Corie http://andhercamera.com/blog/?p=825 Read more →]]> I recently got together with another friend from high school.  We hadn’t seen each other since graduation over 10 years ago but had kept in touch online.  It was great spending a bit of time together at a local park and meeting her beautiful daughter.  Unfortunately my little one was sleeping but it gave me some extra time to play hide and seek and snap these fun shots.