A Voce Behind the Lens

When I met one of my besties -Amanda- years ago, I instantly fell in love with her and her entire family. I always joke that I adopted myself into their family...but the reality is that it's not a joke they are like family to me. And they happen to be one hell of a talented family! Among the talented members is Amanda's sister Jen. 

Jen happens to be a fantastic knitter of these absolutely ADORABLE "little monster" dolls that she sells on Etsy:

Here is a sample of these precious critters! 

Check out her Shop

I'm so happy to say that Jen specially made one 

for my daughter which I will definitely post soon! :)

Jen also is a FANTASTIC photographer! 

So when it came time for our Maternity Shoot we knew exactly who to call!

We did the shoot at Gardiner Country Park in West Bay Shore, N.Y.

It was an absolutely beautiful park with a million trails and the perfect dog park as well!

It had this very cool Alice in Wonderland-esque feel with 

winding trails of all different trees, fields, and swamp lands.

Everyone there was very friendly and respectful of us shooting there.

It was just an all around great location that Sal and I agreed we had to visit in the Fall

to see how beautiful all the different trees would look!

Jen as always was really dedicated and was getting down in the dirt for us! lol

She climbed through fields and anything it took to get the shot! 

Sal & I couldn't be happier with how they turned out!

Pregnancy is a beautiful experience but let's be honest ladies 

we don't always feel so beautiful during it! 

Jen changed that for me - I truly felt BEAUTIFUL when I saw these shots!

Every one was better than the last!

Here are just a few:

Voce means "voice" in italian

Jen's photography is aVocebehindtheLens and that is exactly what she is!

If you are looking for a great photographer who puts you at ease 

and understands how to take pictures that aren't posed and "been there done that" 

then Jen is your girl!

Get to know "The Voice"

Check out her page

My Bump, My Bump, My Lovely Baby Bump...CHECK IT OUT!

So this pregnancy hasn't been too bad so far I must admit.

I believe this is due to a very stern talk I gave to my little nugget at 4 weeks which was basic & to the point : "Kid, we have 9 months of this. Let's make this easy on the both of us, none of that Morning Sickness Bullshit ok. I like food, you'll like food, let's keep it down alright and neither of us will be cranky." 

I believe she listened LOL

Anywaysssss...I would say the hardest part of pregnancy is not feeling totally like yourself. 

The mood swings are sucky and plenty o'changes in your body. One thing that has always been "me" is FASHION. It has always been a real passion of mine and though it might sound trivial or vain, I didn't want to loose "THAT ME" at all. I think everyone can agree that when you look good you feel good.

My mother always complained about how cute maternity wear was practically non-existant when she was pregnant with me and that she made most of her clothing out of plus size clothes & menswear.

I would call myself a Frugal Fashionista. I would rather spend $200 on a bunch of 

new clothes rather than one pair of jeans or a handbag. 

When I went into the Maternity Store I was disappointed in the quality of the fashion and the price of the clothing. I would find a blouse that was basically a $79 tablecloth! Not me at all! So I walked out with 2 pairs of Maternity Jeans I found on sale for $40 each & decided to take a cue from my mom and decided to look elsewhere....IN MY CLOSET.

So here is my personal Maternity Fashion, Where I buy from, & for the most part how much it cost -give or take a bit due to Prego Brain lol :

1.) BASIC + CARDIGANS

So I started my pregnancy going into Fall. 

Fall Fashion this year was the start of Tribal Prints making a come back and a lot of Cardigans.

These pictures are from 15 & 16 weeks, which is that weird point where your weight gain looks like a "beer belly" haha Not quite a baby bump yet

So I really liked wearing basic t-shirts and dressing them up in accessories and the cardigan would frame that little bump in a cute way.

Basic White Tee - Joyce Leslie (Carle Place, N.Y.)  - $6

Tribal Cardigan - Joyce Leslie - $30

Knit Flower Hat - Joyce Leslie - $5

Owl Pendant Necklace - Joyce Leslie - $8

Bootcut Maternity Jeans - Destination Maternity - $40 ON SALE

Same White Tee from above

Seafoam Cardigan - Joyce Leslie -$17

Seafoam Acrylic Necklace - H&M - Under $20

Same Maternity Jeans from above

2.)  FORM FITTING EMPIRE WAIST

I feel like most maternity dresses are generally empire waist but a lot of them give the "tent" effect.

When you're pregnant you're already looking wider you DON'T need anymore help with that!

I think that Form Fitting is the best way to go - SHOW OFF THAT BUMP!

It's the one time in your life that your big round belly is a cute thing - TAKE ADVANTAGE! LOL

That said - Make sure its Form Fitting - NOT TIGHT - you want to still be comfortable & not cut off your circulation!

21 Weeks

Black & Charcoal Foil Dress - Joyce Leslie (Commack, N.Y.) - Under $30

22 Weeks - NEW YEAR'S

Purple Metallic One-Shoulder Dress - Joyce Leslie (Farmingdale, N.Y.) - Under $30

**Funny enough I bought this dress for New Year's 2012 but I didn't wear it because 

I had a bit of a "tummy" 

Who would've thought it would look cute with my new BIG tummy! LOL

**CAUTION : My only complaint is regardless of being pregnant this dress is a smidge see through, so I wore a Black Maternity Spanx underneath it but I was still really comfortable

3.) LEGGINGS - ESPECIALLY COLORED LEGGINGS!

I've always been a fan of leggings but they are like a gift from God when your pregnant!

They are easy, comfortable, and can go with anything!

It was VERY difficult for me to find cute maternity leggings - I only found black and brown.

So I moved on to the Plus Size sections of my normal haunts and had a lot more success!

Horizontal Stripe Tunic Sweater - Joyce Leslie - $17

**Pre-pregnancy I wasn't into horizontal stripes because of its widening effect but this tunic's two vertical stripes on the side really defined the shape of my body.

**Horizontal stripes can work during pregnancy & non pregnancy if the sides are defined by something like a blazer or cardigan.

Cranberry Leggings - Plus Size Section in Rainbow Store - $10

4.) ANIMAL PRINTS IN MODERATION

I like animals prints but there is a fine like between fashionable & jersey shore reject! LOL

When you're pregnant you run the risk of looking like you skinned the damn animal and 

put it on your back! 

So when it comes to prints I usually opt for one article of animal print clothing offset by basics OR

a smaller/tighter pattern for use all over.

26 Weeks

John Zack Maternity Leopard Print Dress - NewLook.com - $35 USD AFTER SHIPPING!

**By far my best purchase to date! I've found that the UK has a great selection of maternity wear but generally the GBP to USD prices blow. 

I found this dress marked down from its original price of $80 USD!

After paying Shipping & Handling I only payed $35 USD and the only hassle was 

waiting about a week and half for it to come from the UK but it was WELL WORTH IT!

The fabric of this dress is SO COMFORTABLE!

This pattern isn't small but the design itself is basic. It's 3/4 sleeve, scoop neck, and short. 

I kept the rest of my looks even more simple: 

Small earrings and small black shoes.

I wore stocking because I was going to a wedding & it was cold out but I love 

the casualness of this dress as well.

**This dress could be worn without stockings, paired with a studded leather jacket, 

high black heels to give it more of a night-out look.

5.) COLORED BLAZERS

I LOVEEE a good blazer and the past two years we have seen colored blazers 

popping up every season in different hues!

At the beginning of my pregnancy I could pull off a size Large. 

Now at the end I'm pushing the XL.

But THANK GOD plus size stores & clothing in have become much more trendy

so there is a much larger selection these days.

28 Weeks

Bright Blue Blazer - H&M - $35

Basic White Tank- Joyce Leslie - $6

Teal & Gold Necklace - H&M - $13

6.) ROCKIN OUT THE BUMP!

I love a little edge to clothing & I think it's ridiculous when people 

say you shouldn't wear black or skull designs when your pregnant - THAT'S BULLSHIT! 

WEAR WHAT YOU WANT!

So this was my "Edgy-Rock Chic" look for 32 weeks

Before I straightened my hair lol

Black Knit Sweater with Gold Studded Shoulders - Joyce Leslie (Farmingdale, N.Y.) - $17

Camo Leggings - 2CUTE (Broadway Mall) - $17

**These were a real pain to find because I prefer a darker camouflage -more of a moss green.

I find that color more aesthetically pleasing and slimming compared to the faded light green

Over the Knee Black Platform Boots - AFAZE (Queens Center Mall) - $25 ON SALE

Leopard Print Clutch/Wallet - Target (College Point, N.Y.) - $4 ON CLEARANCE

Gold Metal Feather Earrings - Charlotte Russe (Broadway Mall) - $6

...So this has been my little Fashion Chronology so far I'll keep you posted but

90% of my looks have been non-maternity wear so it can be used post pregnancy too!

I think the key is to be comfortable! 

Ladies, STOP trying to fit into your old jeans!

 ITS JUST NOT GONNA HAPPEN GIRL

NO MATTER HOW MANY RUBBER BANDS OR SAFETY PINS 

YOU HAVE IN YOUR HOUSE!

Invest in 2 good pairs of Maternity Jeans - At least 1 Boot Cut & then 2 different washes

If they are a good fit you will have them the ENTIRE pregnancy!

And regardless if you are pregnant or not... 

NEVER I REPEAT NEVER 

WEAR AN OUTFIT THAT RESEMBLES A FOOD PRODUCT

...LIKE A BLACK & WHITE COOKIE...

YIKESSSSSSS!

Is that a BUN IN YOUR OVEN or are you just happy to see me??!

Sooooooo...I have been crazy M.I.A. for months now!! It has been an interest few months so here's the run down:

#1 - I started a new business venture that I'm so excited to be proudly announcing in a few weeks!! So stay tuned for that because it has been a longggggg time coming!!

#2 - I've been working like a crazy person between Makeup, Cakes, & Invitations!! Business has been good so I cannot complain at all! Here's are a few shots of my recent cakes:

1.) A "Fiesty 50th Birthday Cake" it was made in a topsy turvy form and covered in different animal prints

2.) A"Ninja Turtle Birthday Cake" for a young boy

Top View of the "Sewar Cap"

I had so much fun with both of these cakes!! And I'm really excited for a TOP SECRET cake I'll be doing soon!

#3. Last but certainly NOT LEAST! The thing that has had me wrapped up the past couple of months was a lovely little surprise my husband and I received news on, on our 1st Wedding Anniversary.....WE'RE PREGNANT!! 

We were SHOCKED to say the least!! It's been a world wind couple of months!! I have never really broadcasted this but I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) when I was 10 years old. I suffered from massive painful cysts throughout the years and I was told conceiving a child would be difficult for me, so my husband and I figured we would cross that bridge when we got there. Needless to say we were so shocked & happy to receive such amazing news!! 

I'm officially 7 months pregnant now and we are having a BABY GIRL around May!! So the hubs & I have been in the process of selling our co-op, moving to a new home, getting ready for the baby, and I'm planning my baby shower. It will be small & intimate but it's still taking work to get it done! lol If you knew me well you would know I am NOT A SURPRISE GIRL! lmfao I am so not for that and let's be serious, I'm an invitation designer it would be a bit hard to go around me with that sort of thing!

Here is our Pouty Little Princess!!

Sal & I went to Impact 3D Ultrasound in Hicksvile. 

The sono tech was SO NICE!! It's a small little office room in an office building but it was still comfortable!!

I'm excited to post pics of the invites & all the party details when the party comes around, but meanwhile I'm going to post my pregnancy fashion, because the one thing I was disappointed with was Maternity Store shopping! They were either frumpy, expensive, OR BOTH!  So  I will do some posts with what I've been wearing, where I found it, and with the few brain cells I have left (due to SEVERE BABY BRAIN) I will try to remember how much everything cost! lmfao 

I'm going to be posting like rapid fire to make up for loss time and I'll be posting pretty regularly since I will be slowly down with outside work due to the fact that I am becoming a hot air balloon! I will start having a little more time on my hands!!

FERTILE MYRTLE SIGNING OUT!!

Summer Lovin' Happened So Fast!

It been a crazy couple of weeks so much going on with work and life in general lol 

But this weekend was one of the most important to me - one of my very best friends got married! 

Amanda and I met 4 years ago working in a salon and became instant besties haha We both have a strange sense of humor and are generally just bubbly goof balls. She and her new husband (OMG! lol) Josh are two of the most awesome people I know and when they asked me to not only be a bridesmaid in their wedding but to also do their wedding invitation, I was beyond honored!

Their entire wedding was a beachy summer theme so we bounced around different ideas of what they were looking for in an invitation. They wanted it to elegant and formal but not stuffy and definitely something no one has seen before. With them as my inspiration we came up with a really cool beach invitation that featured real sand and a glossy faux water! 

Check it out on my Etsy Shop!

They loved it! 

It was a really exciting experience because it was the first time I was a "Triple Threat" lol

I was the Makeup Artist, Invitation Designer, and Bridesmaid!

I'll definitely be stalking her for the professional pictures for my upcoming Makeup Artistry Website (Stay Tuned!)  but here is a little preview :

Beautiful Mommy of the Bride    -    The Bride    -   Sister & Maid of Honor

One of the things I love most about Amanda and Josh is that they are so creative and fun!

They incorporated their theme throughout the wedding :

They made their envelope box by decorating a Treasure Chest Box for all their wedding "booty" lol SO CUTE!!

Ordinary place cards?? GUESS AGAIN! They used Sand Dollars attached to the same turquoise cardstock and coral design as we used in their invitation.

They even had coral and seashells on their cake!

And the list goes on!

Their entire wedding was beautiful and their bridal party was amazing!

They had me cracking up all night!

 Us ladies posing Charlie's Angels style with the dapper Daddy of the bride!

I busted out my inner MJ and danced all night!

I can't believe that Amanda and I have gone from this...

To this...

We've come a long way girlie<3 

Old married ladies together!

I am so honored to be friends with such a funny, smart, and sweet girl like Amanda.

I don't need to wish Amanda & Josh all the best because they are the best.

They are such a beautiful couple who you can see are truly in love

Congratulations to the new Mr. & Mrs. !

Remember Josh all you need to know is to say two magical words ...

haha<3

Straight from the Horse's Mouth

So what I hadn't realized in attempting to plan a Surprise Party is how many years could be taken off my life in spinning lies to keep it a surprise! Poor Paul (my fantastic colorist at the salon), he's going to have to cover up about 8 new white hairs!! 

I've been planning a Surprise Birthday/Retirement Party for my father for about 2-3 months now and if you knew my father you'd know he is very thorough & perceptive -NOT THE EASIEST PERSON TO THROW A SURPRISE PARTY FOR. So we convinced him the party was for my little cousin's birthday.  

One of my father's great loves is horse racing. So it seemed ideal to make the party Kentucky Derby themed.  

The invitation I designed for the party is by far one of my favs! I love making interactive cards and with this particular card I made it so when you pulled the tab to reveal the invitation it made the horses race to the other side!

To purchase this invitation, check out the design at

www.Luxe9Designs.Etsy.com

THE BIG REVEAL...

he was totally shocked! 

Gorgeous girls in hats! Really getting into the theme! I Loved it!

This picture doesn't justify how beautiful this tent from L.I. Tent Rentals was!

L.I. Tent Rentals gets an A++ for FANTASTIC CUSTOMER SERVICE & great Summer Deals! 

Their men came two days early to set up the tent & were so nice. Then they came back the day after the party and promptly took it down. The tent came with nice white standard chairs - THEY WERE SO NICE NOT LIKE THE UGLY TAN KIND YOU SEE IN A SCHOOL CAFETERIA- THANK GOD! It also came with lights so we would able to hang out early into the morning. I had such a great experience with them & will definitely use them in the future!

My Aunt found Derby Flags at Cedarhurst Paper & they really added that extra something to the party!

The Boys played poker into the wee morning hours with their lovely dealer & poker pro Miss Brandy!

The Birthday Cake I made for my dad. 

There was a sign that said "Happy Birthday & Retirement" but I forgot to take a picture of it LOL

It was a dee-lish White Velvet Cake with Bananas & Homemade Toffee Filling! 

The crowd seemed pleased :)

Our handy "lucky" little favors! 

I decided at the very last minute (Exactly 6 hours before the party) that it just wasn't a party without favors! LOL

I found these PERFECT Playing Cards Tumbler at -GET THIS... the local 99 Cent Store!!

Can you believe it?!?

This is an example of those miraculous little finds that I love!

...And because Life is Sweet we figured we'd make it sweeter with a bit of candy :)

All in all the party was a hit!

We enjoyed ourselves eating, drinking, and gambling!

Last call was 2 a.m. - My cousin was the first one to go...

.....Umm Yeaaa he might kill me for this one LOL

It was a great time with family, friends, and of course my Loving Daddy Dukes<3

Happy Birthday Daddy! xoxo

50 Shades of Filthy Fabulous-ness

So I'm not much of a bibliophile because I honestly can never find books that interest me. Lately there has been a craze over the 50 Shades of Grey Series. Once I heard the synopsis I had to admit my curiosity was piqued. I bought the first book and needless to say I GOT HOOKED! I could not put them down and read all 3 books in 5 days ( and i probably would have finished them even sooner if I hadn't had to tend to that little thing called SLEEP)  This book really has you thinking, is BDSM so taboo or are we all just a bunch of prudes?? lol  Aside from the lustful nature of the book, the romance and mystery is also very intriguing and they are definitely a must read!

So on a rainy night in New York, I sat down with a nice glass of wine and finished the last chapter of the book and WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED! So naturally, now that its over I did what any other neurotic fan would do... mentally cast who I would like to play the significant characters in the movie adaptation! Ha! So here are my suggestions... I'd love to hear what you guys & dolls think! Comment below!

Christian Grey

Ian Somerhalder  vs.   Henry Cavill

Both of these boys definitely have the sex appeal and brooding stare down pat! Christian needs to be played by a man who can command the screen not only by looks but by the emotion of the character. And let's be serious, to perform some of that dirty dialogue and acts, we need someone who can really deliver and make all the little housewives blush!

Anastasia Steele

Emilia Clarke vs. Felicity Jones

 Both ladies have that sweet doe eyed baby face. Anastasia's character has such a transformation from meek virgin to a strong willed & stubborn force that manages to subdue the likes of Christian Grey. I have to admit I'm a huge Game of Thrones fan and Emilia's character on the show. I feel her character on the show mirrors Ana in some ways so I'm leaning a little more towards her.

Elena Lincoln

Michelle Pfeiffer

She is HANDS DOWN the only person I can feel can play Elena. She is stunning and seems to have only gotten more beautiful with age. We have seen her play every type of role under the sun! Just a stare from those insanely captivating cat eyes could intimidate the likes of Ana Steele. I'm pretty sure a lot of men would let her be their "Mrs. Robinson"

Kate Kavanagh & Elliot Grey

Holland Roden & Chris Hemsworth

Holland is no doubt beautiful but I think she can also bring that feisty attitude of Kate to life. A lot of people have suggested Chris to play Christian but the reality is I don't think he has that dark, mysterious side. I think he fits much better as Elliot the good looking "teddy bear".

It's a small list because these are really the people I envisioned while reading the books. Which actors did you imagine???