My new thing

So, last time I posted a link to the new beauty/style blog that I started. I hope some of you read it and liked what you read, but there is more to the story than that. Through a series of events (that aren't necessary to talk about for the sake of this story,) I decided that I wanted to learn how to be a stylist. I decided that I wanted to learn to do wardrobe styling for photographers, maybe eventually learn to do make-up artistry, and then apply that knowledge and experience to teaching LDS women and young women about beauty and style within a larger, spiritual context. That is my longer term dream. But, first I have to start somewhere. I went ahead and started an LDS style blog now, even though I'm not really an expert. Right now I can just share my opinions, and hopefully as I gain more knowledge and credibility it will become something cool.

The other part of my dream/idea/plan is to become a stylist. So, I decided to talk to an amazing photographer in my ward, and she is letting me work with her. I feel so completely blessed to have the opportunity to work with her. I don't really know what I'm doing, so I'm just doing my best. She and I worked on our first photo shoot together this past Wednesday. It was incredible and intimidating all at the same time. Some things went well, but some things didn't. One of the looks I put together was specifically designed to go with a Harley that was originally part of the set design, but then the Harley fell through and it was too late to change the look. Oh well, I did my best with what I had to work with. Some things worked, somethings didn't. I definitely learned a lot, and hopefully the next time I'll be even better.

Here are some pictures I took of my experience. I don't think you can get the full effect. You will just have to wait until the photographer has them up on her site. Camilla, the photographer, is so amazing that I'm sure her skill made up for my lack of it!

I had a lot of fun (okay, except for maybe all the mosquitoes.) It reminded me a bit of my short-lived days of being a model. I think I like being behind the camera much better. I hope I become much better at styling than I was at modeling!;)

And just a word about my clothing choices for this shoot--I have been a little torn because I ultimately want teach about styling for LDS women, but I didn't choose clothes that were necessarily garment-friendly, the standard of modesty. Right now I am just learning to be a stylist, and I need to work with both the client and the photographer to find what they want. I don't really get to be pious or picky right now. I don't want to seem hypocritical. Even when I was modeling I had to make the decision that I would be willing to wear "costumes," kind of like a dancer, but only within reason. They weren't always garment appropriate, but they were always tasteful, never overly sexual. I feel the same way now as a stylist. I have full confidence that Camilla Binks, the photographer I am working with, will always do stuff that is in good taste and still in harmony with my beauty ideals.

Camilla is also starting to offer photo shoots to women who just want to look hot and play model for a day. Kind of like a modern "glamour shots." I LOVE this idea, because I think every woman needs to see their own beauty potential. Everyone has more than they even realize! I hope to put together looks for women that make them feel and look amazing. That is the ultimate goal of my whole plan--to help any woman, particularly an LDS woman who has an understanding of her divine nature, to recognize that she is already more beautiful than she knows. Clothing, accessories, and make-up are only tools to help YOU more easily see, and believe in, the innate beauty you've always possessed!

Here is a link to Camilla's website (although as of right now, the shoot I styled is not on the site yet.) www.camillabinks.com

I'm really doing this

I am assuming that I am among friends, I think that only people who consider me a friend would read my blog (but I guess you never know). . .but, in this particular case I might have an easier time opening up to strangers. At any rate, I already posted this on my Facebook page, but I'm also posting it here and if any of you like it, I would love it for you to post a link to it on your blogs as well. No pressure. I won't take it personally, if you don't. It's just that in order for it to be what I envision it to be, I just need a few people to actually read it.

I feel a little self-conscious putting myself out there, but it's just one small step along a new path that I have started paving for myself. There are a whole bunch of facets to my little plan, and the truth is I just need lots of help, support, ideas, feedback, etc from the people who love me. Or just people who have great ideas. I will keep you all posted as I start along my new path, because undoubtedly it will take lots of twists and turns. I'm not usually so ambitious, but I feel inspired to move forward so I am trying to put my head up and confidently take the first step.

So here is my first step, a new blog that ultimately will be a beauty and style blog, with tips and ideas on style that is in harmony with my spiritual beauty ideals. Anyway, so here goes nothing, hope you like it.

www.rubybeauties.blogspot.com

The Bright Side

So, despite my world being turned somewhat upside down, we did have a week of 70 degree weather and it was awesome. So, I'm just going to focus on that for now.

Ruby has discovered the wonderful (and, if you ask me, dangerous) world of our backyard. It freaks me out, but it makes her so happy and she could spend hours out there. Each day I am forced to choose between listening to her scream at the door or letting her brave the great outdoors and risk possible injury. I am trying to find the right balance, because I'm not totally comfortable with either option. You think I wouldn't care as much by child #3, but it still gives me anxiety. Ruby is by far my most fearless child yet.

Sliding down the dirty slide in her new Sunday dress.

This same Sunday afternoon was so warm and beautiful that we decided to take our first family excursion of the season into the mountains. Still too cold to take the Jeep, and I only lasted about an hour, but the kids loved it.

Ruby trying to back herself down into the water. I spent the entire time trying to keep her from completely submergine herself in the icy river.

She would splash her hand in the water and then lick the water on her hand.

Daddy loves the mountains as much as the kids. He's way more fun than I am. The 3 boys all love Nature's playground! I like it too (when all the snow is gone and the temps don't drop below 70 degrees, even in the higher elevations.);)

Hairapy

You know how some people eat too much when they are stressed? Well, I recently realize that one of my coping mechanisms is to change my hair. I have changed my hair a lot, particularly in the last 10 years. But, now it's becoming at least an annual thing.

Each time after I have had a baby, about 6 months after (once I have lost most of the baby weight), I do a hair makeover. I thought it was the fact that during pregnancy I feel hopelessly ugly and like I will never be seen as attractive or sexy again because I have become such a MOM. So, once I'm not pregnant anymore I decide to redefine myself as a WOMAN, and I do so by giving myself a little makeover. It was a post-baby tradition. And then after this most recent makeover, I started looking back at my various hairstyles and realizing that I have changed it way more often than just 3 times (for 3 babies) in the last 6 years.


So, in analyzing my propensity for changing my hair, I have started to wonder if it is perhaps because I am insecure, always searching for that one thing that will make me feel beautiful (maybe somewhat), or if I change it because I am bored (I love being a stay-at-home-mom, but let's be honest, it keeps me pretty cooped up), or if it is like a self-soothing behavior because when I am stressed, afraid, or feeling helpless, I can take control by changing my hair. I don't know. It's probably a little bit of all those things. But, mostly I just do it because it is FUN! It just gives me a boost, a spring in my step, and a reason to put myself together! It's like a little adventure each time I try something new. It's an expression of my personality.



I'm probably overanalyzing. I guess I just wonder why I am so hAirDD, when other people are so content to have the same hairstyle for 15 years. Like my little sister, for example--every time I change my hair I ask her when she's going to cut hers. She always says, "if you have a beautiful face you don't have to change your hair to look good!" She's kidding, I think. ;) Or maybe it's because she shaved her head when she was 13 (even I'm not that adventurous), and she hasn't changed it much since it grew back from that. I think she has post shaved head trauma stress syndrome or something. Whatever her reasons, she has had the same hairstyle for at least the last 7 years. She'll deny it. She's one of those girls that will say, "my hair's not the same, I just cut off like 5 inches and had layers put in" but it looks exactly the same to me. There are a lot of girls like that. I mean, really think about it for a minute, how many hairstyles have you had in the last 10 years? Have you ever changed the color? Which leads me to my bigger question--do you keep the same hairstyle because you are secure and know it is the best for you?. . .or do you keep it because you are too afraid and insecure that you won't look good? Or conversely, do I change my hair all the time because I am very insecure?. . .or do I change it all the time because I am secure enough to try variation? Fascinating. . .the ins and outs of the female psyche, particularly when it comes to beauty. I think about this stuff a lot. What do you think?


I have previously mentioned my issues with my weight and shared pictures of my "fat" days. So, now here are pictures of my various hairstyles (I only have pics from the digital era, I didn't feel like scanning any, so that only covers about that last 8 years, or so.) Hope you get a kick out of them. In fact, if you feel so bold, you can even tell me which of my hairstyles you like best.

This is the current Tiffany hairstyle for Spring 2010. (This is the shortest I've ever been.)


This is the oldest picture on my computer, from about 2002 I would guess. My hair even got longer than this.

This was my first Post-baby Makeover, after baby #1. (circa 2004) It screams "Soccer Mom!"

This was my Post-baby makeover after baby #2 in 2007.

Later in 2007.

After Baby #3, I decided would grow it out really long, so I grew out the bangs, changed the color, and played with loose curls.

Nope, 3 months later decided I was not going to grow it out, time to chop it off. So, this officially qualifies as post-baby #3 hair transformation. This hairstyle (which, I loved most with the curls, but I didn't curl it very often), was the Spring 2009 version. In fact, I got this haircut less than a year ago, and then got the urge to get even more cut off. (I blame it on the job loss!)

And as far as the color goes, I've still always stayed some version of a redhead, because honestly, redheads are awesome! Red definitely is the perfect color for my personality!

Whatever my deepest, psychological reasons are for changing my hair it doesn't change the fact that I enjoy it! It lifts my spirits, and I am a sucker for being told how fabulous I look! So, I want to give a special thank you to those of you who tell me (regardless of my hairstyle) how cute I look. It's amazing how much one little compliment can lift someone up. I need to remember that and dole them out more often, too! Which reminds me, I gotta give the credit for my fabulous new hair (and all of my hairstyles for the past 3 years) to my amazing stylist Stephanie Wolford. She's fabulous!

My eyes aren't playing tricks, he's really SIX!

This is a birthday post and while I would like to write about what it was like when I had my first child, and how surreal it is that he is growing up so fast, I have recently had some complaints that my blog has "too much reading." My own mother even says she doesn't have time to read my blog, so I am apparently too long-winded and must keep this to a more pictorial post.

I guess I will save for another time what a sweet, special boy my little Gavin is. Someday I will write about what it was like when I was pregnant with Gavin, so scared about his birth defect, so worried it would be more than his arm, so full of fear for him and his life. And now, at age 6, he has alleviated my fears and exceeded my expectations! He is as happy and confident as a kid can be. (Ooops, too much talking again.)

So, here are some pics of birthday festivities. It was intended to be a low maintenance, "no party", no cost birthday. . . .it never quite works out that way! ;)

The cake master hard at work on a Star Wars light saber cake.

Mike is disappointed that this picture doesn't capture its full glory and magnificence. (But, I'm easily impressed so I think it's pretty cool.)

Gavin received this 5 foot Superman pinata for his Superman-themed birthday last year. It took him a whole year to be ready to whack it open. This is symbolic of him moving past a Superman obsession and into his Star Wars obsession! (I'm just so happy to get rid of that pinata--the little papers got all over their bedroom.)

It took the big kids to finally bust it open.

Scramble for candy!

The carnage that remained.

Superman and Luke Skywalker have nothing on my little Superhero, Gavin. I love you, Gav. I am so proud of you. I love watching you learn and grow! Happy Birthday.

History (with a little frisbee mixed in)

I have been so concerned about the course the Federal government is taking that I've decided to become more informed and also begin educating my children on the issues--particularly state's rights vs. federal rights and the history surrounding these complex issues. So, we've been having 30 min lessons/discussion each day on history and government, and to enhance our study I decided to take a trip to the Utah State Capitol. Ha, ha, ha. . .just kidding, at least about the 30 min lessons and teaching my children about government and all that. Wouldn't that make me like the most ambitious mom in the world to be attempting to have political debates with my 6 and 3 year olds? Our philosophical discussions are more like "Why is it a bad idea to pick our noses in public?" But, we did take a trip to the Utah State Capitol (and I'm not completely kidding about my feelings about the government. . .but it's not that kind of blog.)

We went to the state capitol building because it is withing walking distance of Aunt Janey's new place. It was a beautiful spring day and it was lots of fun! Capitol buildings are always pretty cool, though. Gotta love the marble columns and staircases, right?

The kids loved it, even though they had no idea what sort of significance the building has. I just wanted to include pictures of a fun little excursion. I am going to have to go have more SLC urban excursions with my Big City Sister.

Where's Waldo? (Can you find my 2 little guys?)

This is how "Big Government" makes me feel too.




Playing frisbee on the Capitol Lawn. I bet Obama does this too.

Yes this is Ruby, I know she looks like a boy. Don't worry I have since remedied the situation and gotten her a cute, girlie hoodie. But, she's just happy to be FREE! She cries at the door "Bye, bye" all the time because she's so desperate to get outside.

Here we go!

All is well. I am not freaking out anymore. Luckily that meltdown on my last post only lasted for 2 days, which is pretty good considering the situation. For the most part I've felt really hopeful and I've really enjoyed having my husband around so much. Within the first week of losing his job Mike had 3 really decent job offers and we just took some time to figure out which one to take. We definitely chose the unconventional route. We felt really guided by the Spirit towards one particular company, and even though it is a major left turn, that's the way we're heading. There are several reasons for this, but I'm not going to discuss the particulars of it on here. Those of you who already know what's going on will understand why, but for those of you who want more detailed info you will have to e-mail me. ;) I feel really good about our decisions. I feel the Lord's hand so prominently in our life. He has protected us so much and now he is lovingly guiding us, undoubtedly, somewhere better than we would've gone ourselves. Naturally, I hope this makes all of our wildest dreams come true. . .but, there are a lot of things besides just money that factor into a career change. But, I ain't gonna lie, good money would be great too! ;)

I haven't posted any pictures in awhile. I actually haven't taken many pictures in awhile. It's winter. Maybe when it gets warm I'll get excited about the cuteness of my children again. ;) Ruby is growing up so fast, and little Nick is suddenly growing out of his baby face too--if only I could get him to grow out of the thumb sucking. So, here are the cuties:

This is my big cutie: He is busying himself these days with getting our basement ready to remodel. We need another bedroom and bathroom DESPERATELY. We have to put our remodel on hold, because we don't want to use up any of our savings right now. But, he is working on the tear out and the prep. I think he just loves to demolish things (especially after the month he has had!) ;) I love a handy man. We both love a good home improvement project, so I can't wait until we can move forward on this thing. And thank goodness I don't have a man who loses his job and then parks himself on the couch with a video game console in hand for weeks on end! ;)

Thank you to so many of you who have shown me so much love and support, both with comments on my blog, messages on Facebook, long talks in person (or on the phone), cookies and a girl's day out (yep, I'm talking to you Jess G. ;). I have felt so much love and concern. I just have to say, in case there is anyone who happens upon my blog who is not a member of this church: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the most amazing network of love and support that you will find anywhere! How grateful I am that we don't have to turn to the government for our support. (Just a few days of dealing with an unemployment claim and application for medicaid made me INSANE, and I have since vowed to never be dependent on the government for my support.) This church has amazing leadership and an organization unlike any other! I FINALLY got a testimony even of home teaching, after our home teacher stepped up to help us in a big way at a crucial time. His act of service changed my whole attitude, and from that moment on I no longer felt terrified. I just knew we had so many people on our side. But, it is more than just the support of a ward that makes this church so special, it is the way that the gospel gets into the hearts of its people and makes them more like our Savior. So many of you acted on behalf of the Lord, Jesus Christ, in doing the things that he would do for me and my family if he were here on earth living next door to me (or if he was my friend on Facebook ;). I truly believe that.

I'm sure so many of you don't think you are Christlike enough, but you are more amazing than you realize. Love, service, concern for your fellowmen comes so naturally to so many of you. Thank you, thank you! I can say for certain, the Lord is proud of you for helping little old me. "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:40)