Archive | September, 2012

Fashion Friday

By Cass Miller on September 28, 2012 in Fashion Friday, I'm a mom, Personal

As a mom, I feel like it’s easy for me to skip over the style part of my life. Why do we do this? Yesterday at Old Navy, I had an arm full of fall clothes for the girls and one measly $2.99 tank for myself. Granted, they need them more than I do, but where do I fit into the equation?

When I look my best, I tend to feel my best. And I don’t say that out of vanity… that I can’t feel good about myself when I’m not all done up, I can and I do. But when I like the way I look, when I spend even just 5 minutes on my appearance for the day, some days it makes all the difference.

Well today, I say no more! Just as I dress up my girls, I’m going to start dressing up myself. And I don’t mean I’m going on a shopping spree (I just purged 88% of my closet, remember?) but I am going to work on getting creative and dressing to impress… myself. Because I matter to me.

I’m saying no to jeans (or sweatpants) and t-shirts all day, everyday. I am going to step out of my comfort zone of style, take risks and HAVE FUN with the everything-goes style we have right now. Starting today. So Friday is now going to be my day of fashion. I’m sure I’ll embarrass myself sometimes, but who cares? Just because I’m a mama and a wife, does not mean I’m not still a lady.

Today, Brady called and said, “can you meet me for lunch in 5 minutes?” SURE, I committed before realizing I had on yesterday’s make-up and no pants on yet for the day. That wasn’t going to keep me from being stylish, though. I threw on some super comfy leggins, my new $2.99 ON tank (that I’m pretty sure yellow is the least flattering color… just sayin’) and my staple chambray that I wear almost everyday (hey! It looks cute with everything!) It wasn’t fabulous, but it was nice and comfy and got the job done. Plus, a baby girl is the best accessory, I always say!

(photo credit to one talented 3 year old)
The girls only like to wear dresses, no matter the weather, occasion, or logic. Instead of buying them a whole slew of new clothes for fall and winter, I decided to get just a few staple pieces to extend their summer dresses. goal: save money, simplify. They totally dig it! (and totally pull it off, if I do say so myself!)

So go ahead and add a funky print, like Harlo. Sport some cool shades, like Stelly. Or go for comfort like the mama. But join in! #fashionfridays are in full swing over here!

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Embrace the Camera – Beach Style

By Cass Miller on September 27, 2012 in I'm a mom, Personal, San Diego

Another embrace the camera day today!

Last weekend, I had a lovely session on the beach with a client from last year. I love returning clients. I love to see how much their families have grown and get to chat and catch up for an hour or so. (photos to come!)

What was lucky, was that on this particular beach session in Solana, my family was able to come and enjoy the beach while I was out shooting. I’ve got to admit it was only slightly painful trying not to watch my girls as they were just down the beach, but they had so much fun with auntie and daddy and as soon as our session wrapped, I headed over to them.

Stella welcomed me with a great big “MOMMY!” and ran over for a great big smooch. I swear this baby.. she never has me wanting for love. I am such a blessed mama.

Lucky for us, I had my camera all set and my sister was there to snag a shot of us at the beach. Too bad I look out of place fully covered from head to toe while my family is enjoying the waves in their suits, but it will remind me how blessed I am to be able to shoot at such beautiful locations and that I’m able to travel around with my family and let them enjoy these blessings as well.

Have you been embracing the camera? Share with me!

xo, C

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Our week in instagrams

By Cass Miller on September 24, 2012 in I'm a mom, Personal, Uncategorized

Hello! We made it home from Oceanside. We had a wonderful time, ate lots of great food and spent countless hours together doing whatever the heck we wanted! It was wonderful. I also took some beautiful photos out there that I can’t wait to post!

Two things today:
One, have you heard of instaport? GENIUS! You can export all your photos from instagram right to your computer. It’s fast, free, and super easy. I have a firm lover of instagram. I will write an official love-post to it one day, but today is not that day. However, if you would like to follow me (please do!) You can find my stuff somewhere over there. —–>>

The second thing seems to escape me at the moment, so we’ll have to come back to that one later I guess.

Oh! wait.. I got it. The new iphone4 software update. Do you have it? It’s pretty awesome. Except for it kind of royally screwed up my phone there for a bit, so I would recommend backing-up your phone first. (and backing up your phone pretty much everyday is a good suggestion… says Mr. Milla) But royally screwed up phones don’t bother me much because I have that Darling Mr. that stays up to the wee hours of the night to fix it for me. What a good catch he is! Swoon…

Anyway, here is our week in instagrams:
This week I’m continuing to work on simplifying, being present and just overall being happier. I’ll tell you what I’ve done so far later this week.

Have a happy Monday, you dear sweet souls.

xo, Cass

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Ali and Willow

By Cass Miller on September 21, 2012 in Family, I'm a mom, Lifestyle, Personal, Portraits, San Diego

Last year my sweet sister Ali and her beloved pup Willow moved to Southern California. I was so excited to get the opportunity to shoot them on the beach, documenting their new life.

I love these girls more than I could ever explain.

Enjoy!

xo, Cass

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Embracing the Camera

By Cass Miller on September 20, 2012 in I'm a mom, Personal

This week I’m linking up with the Anderson Crew for an Embrace the Camera day.

I stumbled upon Emily’s blog a few months ago with a link to embrace the camera. It really got me thinking, and those thoughts have stayed with me.

I just love the whole idea. I love the idea of documenting ME with MY CHILDREN. Because I’m their mom. And even though I might remember that I rarely wear make-up on days home with my kids and that I almost never get out of my sweat pants, I am their mom and they love me just the same. They’ll want to remember me just like this.

Today me and one of my best gal’s Jess were chatting over lunch as we watched our kids play in the backyard. We were saying, these days are so short. Things are going to change. Our babies are going to grow up and gone will be the days that we could get together in our sweats and sympathize over potty training and teething and ornery husbands.

I want to remember these days. I want to remember how I am and how I feel and the things I do with my children. In even one year, our life might look completely different than it does now.

I want to remember after-naptime snuggles with this sugar baby. Possibly my most favorite time of the day.

Rodeo lovins and more naptimes snugs…

And the time I get to spend with this lady while her sister naps

And that one early morning I wore this mask around the house and the girls laughed and laughed and laughed.

I also realize all of these completely imperfect images were taken with my iphone front camera which is almost useless… but it’s what we’ve got at hand to embrace the moment sometimes, and that’s what matters to me.

I am, however, hoping to start embracing the camera with my real camera. Self project portrait coming on??? This is me trying to commit. Tripod ahoy!

Anyway, I love Embrace The Camera and I hope you’ll join in with me! Head over to Emily’s blog for the details, but even if it’s not in blog-form… take more pictures with your kids! It’s so important.

And if you don’t want to take your own pictures… hire me to do it.

(you see what I did there?)

Today we’re heading to San Diego to visit our beloved Auntie and to do some family sessions while we’re out there. Beach sessions renew my photography soul. I’m so excited!

Happy Thursday, everyone.

xo, C

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Mornings like this.

By Cass Miller on September 19, 2012 in I'm a mom, Personal

I want to remember mornings like this forever.

Stella with wild bed head hair.
Harlo with a headband and dress she threw on before even getting to the breakfast table.
My girls flipping through their bibles quietly on the back porch, graciously taking in the stillness of the day.
The beautiful, crisp, September morning as the sun pours in just over our backyard trees.

These are the mornings I will yearn for in 10, 20, 30 years.

These are the mornings that fill my soul.

These are the mornings.

(images courtesy of my iphone4)

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A simply beautiful life

By Cass Miller on September 17, 2012 in Harlo, I'm a mom, Personal, Stella

As I’m working on “nesting” our new house, I don’t have a whole lot finished to show you in the design process.

What I can show you, however, is my favorite part of the entire house.

It has proved to be the best place to hang out all summer.

It has provided hours of entertainment to both the girls and I and anyone who comes over.

It has required almost no money spent, or hours of design planning.

It has inspired me to create not only a beautiful home here, but a simply beautiful home.

Our back porch.

I find that when we’re living simply, we’re the happiest.

It’s the simple things in our life that provide us the most fulfillment, the biggest accomplishments, and allow us to reflect more clearly on our blessings.

Sometimes all I need is to sit back and watch my girls play in the sprinklers, coloring with sidewalk chalk, listening to their giggles and chatter, to realize that I am the richest woman in the world.

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Just a few things

By Cass Miller on September 14, 2012 in I'm a mom, Personal, Stella, Uncategorized

The Flood
Oh my heart is heavy for those poor, poor people affected. I’m having a hard time doing anything but imagining what my house would look like if it was shoulder-deep in muddy water. Or in my case, over-the-head-deep. Because I’m only 5’3.

Someone said, “it was shoulder deep! about 5 feet” and I thought “who’s shoulder is 5 feet high?” certainly not mine.

Quirky thoughts aside, it’s a serious devastation.
A clean house
Is it possible? Is it really, really possible? I mean like no laundry, no dishes in the sink, floors are all clean and toilets are all scrubbed at one time. Is it possible????

If you’re my sister-in-law, Amy, it is. But is it possible for anyone else?

This thought keeps me up at night.
Editing o’plenty
Is what I have to do all weekend.
Sometimes I try to keep my house clean (see number 2) and that means I have to neglect my editing.

Eventually, it catches up.
Time.
Certainly, a mother did not create time. If she would have, we would have 100 hours to the day and only 10 of those would require sleep.
Domestic Goddess-hood.
Yesterday while Harlo was at preschool, Stella and I braved the grocery store for the mother-of-all grocery load.

Then we had frozen pizza for dinner because I was exhausted.

And that’s all I have to say about that.

And if you’re wondering how I took a 2 year old shopping with me,

Donuts.
Works like a charm!

I’m so glad we had this little chat.

Do you have any fun weekend plans? Do share!

xo, C

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Here I am, world.

By Cass Miller on September 7, 2012 in Harlo, Personal, San Diego

I had such a great week. I had a week filled with motivation, inspiration, and opportunity. Not all my weeks are like this, but I’m so thankful for ones like this that come along.

I’m feeling extremely blessed and just ready. Ready to take this world by storm, and show it what I’ve got.

I feel like standing at the edge of the universe, with my arms wide open. Ready for whatever she sends my way.

And I promise you, I may never love another image as much as I love this one. My amazing little Harlo.

Happy Weekend!

xo, C

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Being present.

By Cass Miller on September 6, 2012 in I'm a mom, Personal

Isn’t it strange that the things you want to do the least, seem to be what make you feel the best?

I get so overwhelmed sometimes. I have work to do, a house to keep up on, two little ladies to entertain, errands to run, instagram to check, a husband to attend to, and friends and sisters who need me to remember about them, and emails piling up quicker than I can respond.

Multi-tasking 10 different things often seems like the best medicine, and really the only thing I can do to get things done. Which, as you can probably imagine, doesn’t work out as well as you might think. Working from home seems like the best type of job in the world, and don’t get me wrong, I feel so incredibly blessed to be able to do what I do… but I’ve got to tell you, I think I sometimes feel just as guilty as the moms who work out of the home. Because my work life and home life all blend together, I feel my clients aren’t getting the best of me and most importantly, my children and husband aren’t getting the best of me. Something, my friend, has got to change.

I’m really working on being present.

I’m working on taking time to sit back and listen to Harlo while she’s telling me a story, remembering how grateful I am to be her mom and the one that gets to hear them. I’m working on getting up enthusiastically when Stella wakes in the morning, feeling blessed that I have a wee little one who still needs me to set out breakfast. I’m working on jumping at a chance to serve my husband so that he, too, feels well taken care of and supported. I’m working on putting my family first, and letting my extra time fall where it may. I’m working on cutting out distractions like work, iphones, facebook, TV to spend more time making cookies, building blocks, and creating art with my girls.

I’m finding that what I thought I had no time to do, is really the only thing I should be doing. And what I thought would interfere with my work, is actually only inspiring my work. And I’ve got to tell you, when I’m being a better mom and wife, I feel so much better about myself.

What do you do to stay connected with your children?

Photographer friends (and any other moms who are working from home) How do you find the balance for your family?

This week, I’m working on being present to create a better life for myself, my family and my work. Join me?

xo, C

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Simplify.

By Cass Miller on September 4, 2012 in Uncategorized

I can’t quite explain how important this blog has been to my life.

Our entire life story is right here, on the seemingly never-ending pages of this blog.

This blog has been a good friend to me, it has been therapy, it has kept me going as a mother and as a wife. It has kept me in touch with family and friend who love us and who would never have been able to experience life with us aside from here.

I created this blog to keep in touch with family, and never in my wildest dreams would I have known how much inspiration, hope and growth would come from it. People know me from this blog, people have been inspired by my words on this blog. I have gotten the most touching, heart warming messages and letters from my dear friends and followers of this blog. This blog has been a critical part of my story and that is priceless to me. I believe I have become a better mother and a better person through this blog.

With how much our life is changing and growing, and how opportunities keep coming our way, I have made a major decision to simplify. I have been posting to my professional page, all things professional. I have posted all my personal stuff here, but the two blogs have taken a lot of precious time. As my business and family continue to grow, I feel strongly the time has come to condense parts of my life. After much praying and thinking and waiting, I have decided to post strictly (at least for now) on my new and improved site,

http://cassmillerblog.com/

It’s a bit scary, and it’s extremely bittersweet. But I truly feel this is what I’m supposed to be doing right now in my life, and I believe it will help me to enjoy the things I love most in this life and that I will have more time to write about and share those things.

It’s a little scary! This place has been safe to me, I’ve trusted to write about such personal things here and posting it somewhere else seems a little foreign. I hope that you will all follow me over there and maybe leave me words of encouragement or support me somehow through this transition in my life. Nerves aside, I’m really excited about these changes.

I have truly poured my heart and soul into this blog. My life as a wife started here, my life as a mother started here, my life as photographer started here. I am hoping to step things up and challenge myself to write more. Because I love it, because I think my children will someday love it, and because through writing my story, I have grown so so much.

So if you wish to continue to follow our story, please update my link to this one. http://cassmillerblog.com/

And most importantly, thank you to all my sweet followers/friends. You have touched my lives in so many ways. Thank you, thank you, for following us on our journey.

xoxo, C

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The day my baby grew up.

By Cass Miller on September 4, 2012 in Harlo, I'm a mom, Personal

Today is the day I have both been looking forward to and dreading for the last 3 years and 9 months.

My oldest of kin (but my baby forever), began her school career.

I sit here baffled by how quickly the time from carrying her in my womb, to walking her into her first day of school has gone by. How oddly small the time I’ve had to protect her from the big outside world has been. I just can’t quite seem to wrap my head around it all.

Today, her life apart from me begins. Although that big, bitter pill seems impossible to swallow, I am so proud of the little lady she’s become. She was not afraid at all to be separated from me or her sister for the first time. She graciously held her composure from any nerves she was feeling. She warmly thanked me for setting out her breakfast, doing her hair, taking her picture and dropping her off to school. My big girl, sincerely using her manners. Gently reminding me of a job well done.

As we pulled up to her school, I remembered we had forgotten her blanky for her first day. She calmly told me “It’s okay, mom. I don’t need my blanky. I’m going to be fine.” We walked inside and she clung to my leg a little tighter. I looked down at her and she pulled me down to her level and wrapped her arms around me and left two kisses on my cheek. ”Thanks for dropping me off, mom. I just love you.” and with that, she headed for her chair with her new teacher leading the way.

I barely made it out the door before the sobs escaped me.