I’m constantly amazed by how much your life can change in a week! I had tons of work to complete and over 8 events last week to attend (3 in one night on two nights) so there were a ton of “highs” to choose from and not too many lows, thankfully. But this “high” really took the cake and the “low” – as always – taught me a hard lesson that made me stronger.
HIGH: Boudoir Shoot with Unbuttoned Photography

It’s not every day a girl does a boudoir shoot. On a Sunday. In her home. On a day that a lunar eclipse is ending and a solar eclipse is beginning. A day on which my pilates teacher informed me that we’re destined to break patterns we’ve had for the past 19 years. (Gosh, that just sounded really LA, didn’t it?)

Especially not a girl raised in Dallas by professor parents and a southern baptist grandmother. But through this seemingly “stripping” experience, I gained so much more than I shed.

Here’s the thing. I’ve always been a girl. Girly-to-the-max with the spirit of a child and the responsibilities of a woman. Much of my childhood was spent being very grown up so perhaps I have held on to childhood a little longer than most. Not in a bad way at all – I’m just a bit more wide-eyed, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed than some folks my age and I sometimes see the world through rose-colored glasses. So I guess I really can’t complain.

When I decided to do a boudoir shoot with Claire Pearce and Unbuttoned Photography, a few things came to mind. The first being that it was important that I do this. See, I turn 36 this month. For most of my life, I’ve had this feeling that 36 would be a critical year for me. It’s a weird feeling but it’s one that I trust. And it’s shaping up already to be an interesting one. My friends have complained forever that they want to see the sexy side of me more often. See, publicly, I embrace the girl – but the woman? Not so much. Well, this shoot helped me bring out the woman. And, y’all, she came out in spades.

I was beyond at ease and sexy thanks to Claire’s soothing presence, Emma Willis of Contour Fossa Makeup & Hair’s beyond-gorgeous hair and makeup looks and a great team of assistants. I felt like a butterfly emerging out of a silky cocoon – thanks to lingerie and hosiery from In Bloom by Jonquil, Victoria’s Secret and Jet Rag vintage – while Robin Thicke, Meiko & D’Angelo played seductively in the background. Since it was at my house, it was a comfortable environment and I felt safe. I can’t recommend it highly enough for every woman out there.

*If you’re in LA, Unbuttoned Boudoir Photography has a special running right now for $745 for 14 images, hair and makeup! Um, can you say perfect holiday gift for the honey or yourself?

**There’ll be more coming over the next few weeks with the actual shots from Unbuttoned Photography and more thoughts on my experience but I hope you enjoy these behind-the-scenes looks for now!

LOW: Boundaries

So if my high was the boudoir shoot, my low would have to be the opposite of that: boundaries. Ironic, huh? That these would be in the same week? Here’s the thing.

I friggin’ love people. Like so much that when someone asked me the other day what my passion was, I said “people”. I love making people feel good, making people feel better about themselves, making them feel loved and making them feel deliciously satisfied with homemade cucpakes.

But, y’see..there’s this little thing called boundaries that sometimes I forget about. I get a little too generous with someone who maybe doesn’t warrant it or I get a little too involved in helping someone I don’t know that well. And, well, all you’re left with is lost time and a feeling of being let down when it goes unappreciated. My low this week was realizing this trait in myself. And realizing that you’ve gotta have boundaries…even when you’re the cupcake queen… Perhaps ESPECIALLY when you’re the cupcake queen and live in a place called The Cupcake Palace. My heart and head are gonna be a lot better with a few boundaries In place. Don’t worry, though, I’ll still have cupcakes for ya…if you’re reaaaaal good.