Goldilocks and the Three Photographers

It’s been on my to-do list for a few weeks to find a good photographer.

Why? I need a current photo for the new Super Much Love site. I don’t mean to sound narcissistic, but I’ve had a hairstyle change since I last had professional photos taken.

I got bangs.

As any girl will tell you (because I don’t think boys get this completely, as it does sound a bit insane), bangs are a Big Deal.

They can create double-takes with your friends, much like acquiring augmented bosoms or big jewelry.

But the fun part is that bangs are much, much less expensive.

Bangs, boobs, baubles. The Three B’s, I’ll call them. And in doing so, I suddenly realize they sound a little funny/tawdry when said aloud together. But I digress. That’s what I do.

Hoping to hit gold in finding a gifted photographer, I picked up a Dallas-based magazine. I thought that surely the editorial pages would offer up some great photos by gifted photographers who are never spotted without their BFF - Canon or Nikon.

And I was right.

One photographer was super fashion-oriented and edgy-fabulous, but from researching his website, I realized all of his models are sub-95 pounds. I didn't want him to cry if I don’t wear skinny jeans with sufficient ‘authority’ or if I need to stop for a snack in between shots. 

The work of another photographer looked a bit too Corporate (capital C intended) for me. Good stuff, just too stuff-y. I don’t currently have stock options, nor do I look spectacular in traditional suits - I'm more of a 'separates' girl. 

The photography I liked best – well, that I actually kinda-fell-off-my-sofa-in-looove with – was that of a - get ready for it...FOOD photographer, Manny Rodriguez. 

He got everything right. Lighting, color. 

He made that cake look better than Christian Bale.

Manny’s online portfolio backed up what I had seen in the magazine – his work has just the right blend of honest and ethereal. Which is what a girl with nice eyes and an urban bootie really needs! Close up on the eyes, fade out on the thighs! Hurray!

Sure, he’s known for his work shooting all things edible, but thinking of myself that way could very well quell the nerves! Look edible! Look edible!

Check out Manny's work – you’ll want to run to the market! mannyrodriguez.net

I sent a ‘please, please’ email to Manny’s business manager, Vanessa. And I heard back!

Bless her, bless Manny – they’ve agreed to shoot little old me! 

Pray for me tomorrow morning at 9am, won’t you? My hair will likely be sporting two tons of hairspray, and I’ll be pretending in my head to be chocolate cake or something similar. Only ‘tasteful’ thoughts, I assure you!

Love,

Melinda


Photo Credit: Brook Rieman/Flickr/Getty Images

Take It Easy...And Take It On!

Recently, I was invited to brunch at the home of an old friend. Hurray!

First, as you may know,

I

Love

Brunch.

But this friend and her husband are not only masters of whipping up the best meal of the week – they are also terrific parents that employ creative ways to prepare their children for grown-up-hood.

Example: They encouraged their son and daughter, ages five and three, to 'host' the brunch. The little ones' responsibilities included selecting attire and food (pajamas and pancakes!), and a theme ('Things I Love') and wow - it was super-duper.

Guests were asked to bring something they love to the party (a stuffed animal? a keepsake?). Those cherished items were displayed atop the mantle during the brunch. How sweet is that?

As I was preparing to leave, my friend prompted her son to select for me a party favor from assorted fun things on a dresser by the door (ok, that's crazy cute). Vance surveyed the available items, and selected a big purple heart-shaped plastic ring with a smiley face on it, and a sweet Pez dispenser. Smitten, I am, with this boy!

I got into my car, and got to thinking: I'm so glad I showed up today. It was raining outside, and my bed felt grrrreat when I awoke, sure - but wow - not as good, not even half as good as reconnecting with friends, inhaling yummy waffles and bacon, and receiving a big ring from a 5-year old precious little man.

And so it occurred to me:

It's not our job every day to accomplish something BIG.

On most days, it's just about giving effort to pushing forward on the things that make a difference to us.

It might be a workout, so you start having the confidence you need to leave your safe and…honestly, boring wardrobe behind and start dressing like people you respect…thereby, respecting yourself in a new way.

Or making plans with someone (parent? in-law? new friend? old crush?), so your nagging conscience will abate, and a relationship can flourish like a rosebush. It really doesn't matter how the coffee/lunch/movie goes, so stop worrying. Put your energy instead into making it happen. Let God take care of the rest.

Or quiet time with yourself. You need to remember that you like you. And why.

Or allowing a dream in. That's always good. Always! 

Yours.

Or someone else's.

No one can deny the mystical power and fertile, blessed soil so wound into a dream. There's a reason you have a floating feeling sometimes when pursuing one. Dreams are made of special stuff. They are tied to your soul with a tether that shines like the sun.

I think that's how creating a better world is done.

A little effort here and there on things that actually matter - a balance of 'you' and 'others' - and suddenly, you can breath deeply again without the help of a yogi's voice.

Because you can once again hear your own!

Love,

Melinda

P.S. Want to receive a little heads-up tidbit on your Facebook news feed when a new SML entry is posted? (Nothing annoying, we promise. : ) 
Just 'like' the Super Much Love fan page to stay in the loop. Easy-peasy!
And big thanks to you for sharing Super Much Love! 

Photo Credits: 

'Open': Thinkstock Images/Comstock Images/Getty Images

'Heart Ring': Jewelry courtesy of Vance, the Big Wooer, who will certainly, one day, slay the heart of his beloved with a diamond just as big! Love you, Cuteness! Photo taken at The Casa with my iPhone. 

UP with Real Mail! And Making It Fun!

Dear Reader,

My sweet daddy used to say:

Baby, get the best table you can in a restaurant. They all cost the same, so you might as well ask for a good table, and not just give in when they try to seat you right next to the restroom. 

He was right. A steak costs about $25 at a table that overlooks the city, and the same amount at a table in a less desirable location in the same restaurant. And the host typically doesn’t care where you land, as long as you’re happy.

Might as well ask nicely for the table with the view!

Somehow, I’ve been compelled to apply this principle to a number of areas in life – one of them is...get ready...postage stamps. : )

I’m admittedly a bit of a design hound – with a healthy dose of ‘kid’ in her.

So you can imagine my glee when I spied this crazy-fabulous sheet of Pixar stamps at my local shipping store. These stamps are SO happy, and can transform an otherwise simple or ‘blah’ envelope for a mere 45 cents! 

Sooo…if you need a little pick-me-up today, pick ‘em up!

Should you have a friend or family member who adores Disney-Pixar, pop a sheet of these in the mail to them with a ‘thinking how great you are’ card!

My local Eagle Postal shipping store carries them (thanks, Steve, at the McKinney Avenue location in Dallas for always stocking non-boring stamps for folks like me! : ) 

They are not currently for sale at USPS.com (grrrr!), but likely can be found at your local post office, or fave shipping store. Eagle Postal had a nice fat stack of them yesterday. Hurray!

Featured are Lighting and Mater in ‘Cars,’ Remy and Linguini in ‘Ratatouille,’ Carl and Dug from 'UP,'  Buzz Lightyear from ‘Toy Story' and WALL-E and his inspirational plant.

I used the ‘UP’ stamp for my donation to the Humane Society today – ahhhh!

It’s the little things, isn’t it?

When there’s no upcharge for a smile, I say – grab it and share with others!

Love,

-Melinda

Photo: ‘Send a HELLO’ stamps, United States Postal Service. Taken with my iPhone on my dining table. I promise.

Diving In, Swimming Like The Trophy is Made of Chocolate.

Dear Reader,

I didn't just disappear over the past few months, I promise. : )

I've been working on new website for Super Much Love. And I'm a lucky ducky to be collaborating with the wonderful folks at design firm Swoon The Studio. So exciting!

Nerd Spoiler Alert: Education has also been a top priority for me – I attended a great Social Media Bootcamp in January (thanks, SplashMedia!) and have been picking the brains of a number of fabulous friends (and kind friends of friends) who know gobs more about ‘Internet Everything’ than I do.

Why all the prep and pencil sharpening?

I want the new Super Much Love site to be even more - lots more! - fun, easy on the eyes and beneficial to you in the future. Like a great significant other. You know.

The new site will also allow you to easily subscribe via email (hurray!) and share SML via social media (bless you!).

'Super Much Love - the Real Thing' should launch mid-March. 

BTW: I've been writing a good bit over the past several weeks, but had held off on posting, intending to wait until the new site goes live. However, a number of sweet readers have encouraged I do otherwise - and get back to dosing the SML, even while we're still on this 'beta' site.

So, I'll be doing just that. Thanks for warming my heart and keyboard! 


While 'the cake is still in the oven,' so to speak, please let me know if there's anything special you'd like to see in the new site - a topic, a way of reaching out, you name it - I value your feedback tremendously.

Can't wait to deliver the new Super Much Love to you in March! : )

Love,

-Melinda


Photo Credit: Getty Images