ASOS Style & Albion Basin

Midi Skirt | Necklace | Floral Headband | Blouse | Pumps

Sam is going to take some engagement photos in a few weeks, and we've been scouting for good areas to shoot at. I say we because although he is the photographer of the family, I'm his assistant. This might sound like an easy gig, but I assure you it is not. It's a workout with Klair. Luckily though the engagement shoot should prove to be an easier job than I'm used to since, you know, we won't be taking pictures of a toddler for a change. I doubt there will be much running involved, and I can leave my crazy noises/funny faces/talent for eliciting laughter via peek-a-boo at home. Following the advice of a good friend, we headed up Little Cottonwood Canyon to Albion Basin a few nights ago. It's a beautiful area just above Snowbird and Alta ski resorts. I've driven up this canyon plenty of times in my Utahn life, but I had never driven this far. Once you get high enough, the pavement ends and a dirt road begins. This is where it really starts to get pretty, and where we decided to take the photos above. Wouldn't an engagement shoot in this location look absolutely stunning?? I'm in love. I can't wait to see what Sam produces.

Featured in the photos is a skirt and necklace that I bought online from ASOS which you can see here and here. The necklace is a layered locket. It's too small to put a picture in, so I had Klair kiss the inside instead. I've been wearing it non-stop since.

FYI both the skirt and necklace are on sale right now. Also, in case anyone is wondering, my headband came from a local boutique, but there is a similar one here.

If you love ASOS as much as I do, make sure to enter the giveaway below. It's running for only one more day, so don't put it off. They are having killer sales right now, so it's definitely a good time to win some free money towards their merch! Additionally, the giveaway will give you an awesome Style Lately tee of your choice and ad space on some awesome blogs. Win, win, win.

Also, this post wouldn't be complete without bragging about the last two photos. You see, I took them. That's right, me! I'm kind of proud because they just might be my favorite photos of Klair and her "dada" ever. And, even though Sam configured all the settings and set it all up, I'm the one who clicked the button. That's gotta count for something, right? I'd say so.

Happy hump day! And good luck with the giveaway :)

  A Rafflecopter Giveaway

Sincerely yours,  

Mother's Day | "MOMories"

"Mama."

This is who I am--my identity. Later it will likely change to "Mommy" then "Mom" and, on occasion during those lovely teen years "MO-OM!" (pronounced "mah-ahm" with an evident bit of annoyance).

I'm a MOM. !!! 

Wow. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around that one. I'm not sure I ever will. I brought a life into this world. My body housed and nourished a child for 9 months, and fed her for another 14 after that. I know I did these things. I remember them, I have photographic evidence... but it still seems so surreal. The whole pregnancy process is mysterious, amazing, and beautiful. All of motherhood is.  I continue to feed, nurture, teach, and love her, but she teaches me more. She is my daughter. She looks to me for comfort, safety, love, assurance, guidance, and fun. We have so much fun! I turn to her for everything. She and her dad are my world, and every moment I spend with either of them strengthens the love I have for both. I have spent more time with that little girl than anyone else in my life. We know each other so intimately, yet... there's still so much to learn. And, I wouldn't have it any other way.

My Klair Marie has captured my heart. She has taught me to love in a way I didn't know was possible until that blue eyed, mischievous little blonde came along. She showed me what it means to truly live. She is the embodiment of the love that Sam and I share. Before her we were happy, but now... now our happiness is at a level that we could never have dreamed of. She is everything good, beautiful, and pure in this world, and I am humbled to be able to call her mine.

With Mother's Day approaching, I can't help but think of all the beautiful moments that I've been able to experience in the past couple of years. I was recently approached by Dropcam for a "MOMory" campaign that they are doing in honor of Mother's Day. Thus, with this cute little pun in mind, here's a link-up with a few of my fondest "MOMories" with Klair:

 The moment we discovered I was pregnant--when we found out she was in fact a she. The first kick. The ultrasounds. The magnificently beautiful, transcendent moment Klair was born. All of her firsts--her first cry, her first smile, her first laugh, her first word ("mama"), her first scoot (she was a scooter) her first step. I even remember some of the harder moments with a bittersweet sense of fondness. When she has been sick or sad, she clings to me for comfort, and in those moments I am able to calm the storm within her--not because of me, but because of what she inspires within me. 

Additionally, as Mother's Day approaches, I can't help but think of my own mom. She went through so much, struggled so terribly at times to keep it all together in a family that was constantly being barraged by the fierce winds of opposition. Yet, through all of the pains in our family, addiction, illness of every variety, the death of my dad--she somehow made it through. And, although there were hard times, I always knew that I was loved. I had a sense of security. I had a home. I knew I could go to my mom, and she would let me lay my head in her lap while she played with my hair. I have many fun, beautiful, and tender "MOMories" of my own mom. And, now that she's a grandma, I'm able to see her in a whole new light that only adds appreciation for the mother that she is.

Lastly, with Mother's Day just a few days away, I can't help but think of all the strong, loving, nurturing female figures in my life who have "mothered" me in some way or another. I don't think that motherhood is reserved only for those who have children. There are some women who give birth that never mother a day in their lives. While there are others without children of their own who mother every day of their life. I believe when we, as women, accept and embrace the divine potential within us to love, to nurture, to inspire, to lift the hearts that hang heavy, then in those moments we truly embody the essence of what it means to be a mother. There have been many women, too many to count, who have extended love and true charity to me in a way that only those with a mother heart really can.

Motherhood. In a world where the role of a mom is viewed as less than--is constantly diminished and relegated to the sidelines in terms of what is important, or worthy of a modern woman's time--I'm grateful to know how important moms and mothers of every variety really are. I'm thrilled to be part of a church that honors, even reveres the sacred work of women--of mothers. Because of Him, I have strength, guidance, and perspective. Because of Him, I have true purpose and joy.

 “Motherhood, is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels." 

-The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 
...

Our Matching Outfits.
Yep, I'm one of those moms.

Mine (similar items): 

Chambray Shirt | Midi Skirt | Pumps | Necklace 

Klair's (similar items): 

Chambray Shirt | Dress | Necklace (vintage) | Shoes | Bow (homemade--tutorial here) 

Little Fashionista + Klair's First Time Playing in the Snow

Today I'm linking up with Katie for a baby style post. 

Confession time: I'm jealous of my daughter's clothes. As in, I often wish that I could find the things that my little Klair Bear wears in my size. Then we could match! Yep, I'm one of those moms. Or, at least I would be. This outfit is one of those cases. The skirt? The hat? The cardigan? Yep, I would wear them myself if I could. That's probably why I love her in this outfit so much. She looks like a mini adult. Good thing these pictures are so cute or I might be hyperventilating right now about how grown up my baby girl is...

I attempted to get just a few good photos of her, and apparently I was having too much fun with my camera. I guess it helps that I have a good model. She is walking so well now (as evidenced by the photo collage above) and she makes the cutest little faces and gestures as she goes along.

She is genuinely happy with herself.

I've actually noticed a pattern with Klair and  her walking that I find amusing. The first time she took a step? When we were in a room filled with family at my in-laws. The first time she really started taking off on her own (i.e. initiating the walking process without us prompting her) when we had some friends over this past weekend for the Superbowl. Then again tonight when we had the scouts over for den meeting she wanted our attention and walked around the house/living room the whole time. Basically, I'm thinking that this girl thrives off of attention!

For the record, she grabbed that book and sat on her toy box to read all by herself. 

She created her own little reading nook! 

The teacher in me is jumping for joy. 

She is constantly giving hugs and kisses these days, 

and her stuffed animals are often the recipients of such affection. 

She climbs up on her toy box to look out the window at passing people, bird, cars...anything really. She's very curious about the world and extremely observant. 

I can't wait to take her outside more once the weather gets nicer! 

Speaking of going outside... It snowed a good deal the last few days and I decided to take Klair out to play. It was actually her first time playing in it. Now, I know what you're thinking. "You live in Utah and you just barely took your daughter to play in the snow? It's... February!" It's not as bad as it sounds though, I promise! We had a weirdly warm and dry November. Then, in December we actually got a lot of snow, but we were constantly sick and it always seemed to coincide with the powder days. Then, January was another pretty dry month around here. Thus, the snowfall in the past few days was the first opportunity we've really had to take her out and throw her in the cold, white, fluffy stuff.

She did surprisingly well. I daresay she loved it!

This little snow bear was in heaven. 

After letting her scoot and play around in it, I grabbed our sled and we took advantage of our slightly sloped yard. It was just steep enough that she could get going. At first we did it together, and once Klair felt comfortable with it I let her go on her own. I was surprised at how brave she was. This little babe was all smiles.

It was night time, and we shot this with Sam's phone, 

so the quality isn't the greatest... 

but I still love the look of pure joy on her face :)