I'm embarrassed of how long I've gone between postings. I haven't picked up a camera in, probably, a good few months so I've had nothing to share. Lots to say, I guess, but not regarding this blogs topic. I've been so focused on motherhood that I threw my Canon on the back burner. I have missed photographing quite a bit and a little embarrassed to admit that I had initially forgotten how to use the settings. Which setting was going to make my picture brighter, which less noisy, and so on. Once I began snapping and using the playback feature, I was good to go. Lower my ISO, up the shutter speed so I can catch Livvy in all of her constant moving splendor!
With Jake and the Neverland Pirates playing in the background, I'm finding it difficult to write. If that weren't enough of a distraction, I'm watching Livvy dance in her diaper to the music. All chubbiness out there in plain view. Really? Does she have to be that cute? Doesn't she know it's distracting me? Jeesh!
Anyhow, before photography and before Livvy, there was shopping. Seriously, though, I had a problem. Of course I also had a job that supported the habit extremely well. I used to joke with my mom that we should have joined a support group for our shopping addiction. I'd laugh while trying to recite the following "Hi, my name is Elena and, I'm a shopaholic". Never in a million years did I think that I would have to give up designers like Kooba, Michael Kors, Burberry, David Yurman, John Hardy, etc. in exchange for Pampers, Fisher-Price, Vtech, Dr. Brown, Carters, etc. Surprisingly the transition wasn't that difficult at all. As long as Livvy had everything she needed, than I was happy. As happy I was, though, there was still something missing. I had a craving for something, but what? Then Livvy outgrew her Fall and Winter clothes and I realized it was time to go clothes shopping again. Although still a peanut, Livvy was actually in larger sizes. In my quest for 18 month clothing, I stumbled upon some great baby clothing designers. Apparently my craving had been for something, ANYTHING, different than the same ol' clothing I kept seeing at Babies 'R Us, Walmart, Target, etc. Enough of Carters already! I was so desperate for something different yet some of the prices were a bit hard to swallow. For the price of one dress, I could have been sporting a new pair of leather boots! I think, on occasion, it's good to splurge. For those of you with the "you only live once" mentality, feel free to check out my findings and Enjoy!
Tips for saving money:
1. Use online searches such as
The Find to compare prices.
2. Look up designer coupons.
3. Buy last years designer collections which are usually on sale.
4. Don't foget to check
Amazon. They are almost always cheaper than anywhere else.
5. If you like a specific designer, sign up for their mailings to receive promotions & coupons.
6. Some designers like Hanna Andersson have
outlet stores which, as you know, carry discounted items.
