28 Days of Natural Beauty- Day 16 Snuggie and heels

28 Days of Natural Beauty- Day 16 Snuggie and heels

Day 16

Copyright Glamour Dec 2010 pg. 267 "baby it's warm inside." photograph by Frederike Helwig

Ok.. so she isn't wearing a Snuggie.
I don't get it?
Yes, you are correct. She is actually wearing a red, white and blue Christmas ornament ball dress and gold shoes.
I have nothing in my closet that resembles that outfit.
Not.
Even.
Close.
And.
I.
am.
not.
sad.
about.
it.
Ok, maybe just a little.


So, I thought, HEY, Why not a Snuggie and red heels? 


My Version Day 16

All I can say is that a Boise State Snuggie has never looked so fashion forward.
Also, my dog looks old in this pic and that makes me sad.
But then, all I have to do is look up and see me in a BSU Snuggie wearing red heels, doing a backbend and balancing on a wobbly recliner and I am laughing again.

NOW THIS IS JUST PLAIN SILLY.
YUP. it is....

But you know what.............do it.
Be silly today. Be a kid.
Laugh more... GIGGLE more. Smile more.
Be silly. It's fun and it will make you live longer.
It's a scientific fact.
I read it on Wikipedia 7 years ago when they let "just anyone" write articles.

Silliness reminds me of Carol Burnett.
She is hilarious.
Carol Burnett reminds me of Annie.
Annie reminds me of a GREAT song for today.
This song makes me wanna sing ALL DAY LONG.
And... I feel like a Tony Award winner when I sing it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qywUPkxlYpU

Peace, Love, Laughter

and football game Nachos

Not-ch-o-cheese-L

p.s. Can you tell how hard I was laughing doing this?

P.P.S or is it P.S.S? (either way) NOW my triceps are going to be sore!
PPPS My quads are still VERY Sore. I need to get my family healthy again so I have time to workout more.
OR... I can just keep doing these crazy poses!

28 Days of Natural Beauty- Day 15 Buh-na-Nuhs! BANANAS!

28 Days of Natural Beauty- Day 15 Buh-na-Nuhs! BANANAS! 


BOooom. 
I told you I'd do it!! 


Day 15

All rights reserved Chanel Inc. Copyright Elle 310 Feb. 2012

My Version DAY 15

MY 

VERSION

THROUGH

MY 
WORLD

IS MY

VISION

AND...

Well... 
a little bit 

ridiculous. 

But... just a little.

 wink wink. 

Well,  I'M SORRY!

I just wasn't brave enough to go nude for the world...

I WOULD HAVE to be BANANAS to do that!

 So, I put on an old 1 piece that is extremely flattering. 

BECAUSE it is a TIGHT Speedo!

AND as EVERYONE KNOWS.....

Tight Speedos are KNOWN for being VERY flattering. 

Oh, what?

Am I wrong?

And.. we thought the Christmas bows would be a nice touch. 

You know, cause I'm classy like that. 

My heart goes out to Channel's model. 

My quads were/is/are SHAKING!!! As if I had just gotten done running a 400 full speed ahead. 

That was a HARD pose to do!

I had to hold it for 2 shots. Well, really more like 20....

One with the ball. One without the ball. And then, run back to the camera and check.

DARN, how did my feet get cut off in that shot? Did you move the camera Daughter #1? 

Back to hugging the ball... then letting it go... running back to camera.

DARN, why did I lean forward so much after I let go of the ball? 

Back to sucking in my tummy and trying to smile and pretend to sleep. 

Click, let go of ball, click, run back to camera.

DARN! Why did my left hand go SUPER JAZZ HANDS after I let go of the ball? 

Finally, I thought I had gotten the 2 shots I wanted. 

Shot 1

I combined the shots to get the transparent ball...

So, yes, there was some editing on this one! BUT only to the ball... although very tempted to liquefy certain parts... I have promised not to. 

I combined the pictures just like you would if "swapping heads." Just like so many photographers have to do in large family photos.

Like when little David decides to stick out his tongue at cousin Megan in picture #1, but looks like a complete angel in picture #2. BUT, in picture #2,  85% of the family has their eyes closed.

simple fix.

head swap. 

bam.

done.

David now looks like an angel in picture #1.

And David's mom will never know the difference. 

And David gets a treat and taken out for a banana split for being so good for the photographer. 

ANYWAY....

Here is Shot #2

HOWEVER & Disclaimer... the transparent ball and the hands was a lot more tricky than just a simple head swap and doesn't look as "clean" as it should.

Oh well... that's ok...luckily this is just a blog and not a REAL fashion magazine. 

Picture: 50mm, f3.2, 1/200 ISO 200 

Speedlight at 50 with shootthroughumbrellalalallala

AND of course... a Banana song for you listening pleasure. 
But not just any banana song, a banana song that will be stuck in your head for the rest of the day. 
enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ub1vmLCvspE

Peace, LOVE, LAUGHTER and

banana splits w/ extra chocolate syrup,

No-banannananana-jello-legs-L


P.S..... After this banana picture, I'm going to get Pixar beating down my door.
 "Please come work for us," they will beg. :) 

28 Days of Natural Beauty- Day 12,13 and 14

Nothin'. I got nothin' for you.
sorry.

I had to take a break.
I had no idea how much time I was actually spending on this, AND my kids were sick, AND I needed to do laundry, AND I finally slept in my own bed with my husband instead of my kids because they have been sick for 2 weeks and I have been sleeping on the couch with them or them in my bed with me (DEEP BREATH).......
AND
I finally got a good nights sleep.
period.

Day 12 I woke up feeling refreshed and said, "eh, I think I'll skip the blog today."

Day 13 I got another good nights sleep and said, "eh, I think I'll skip the blog again today.. or maybe I'll just do it tonight." I was too tired at night and had forgotten.

Day 14- Today, I had someone REQUEST a new post! So, I thought I'd at least tell you what's up.

Day 15 is tomorrow and for my "coming back from vacation" post I will post something quit spectacular, or unspectacular... depending on who you are and what you shall think of it.

BUT what is a new venture, natural beauty blog w/out a picture?
Alright! But... I'll do one tomorrow.
What? You want one today?
COME on.. OH, you sure are bossy!
OK. FINE!
I'll do one, you twisted my arm.
Here. 
Fine. 
Here. 

Here is Day 14: Since it's Valentine's Day... THEME HEARTS

IN LOVE or Insane?

Meet my friend Maria.

All rights reserved: Lady Foot Locker and Skechers Copyright: Glamour Dec 2010

P.s Lady, don't you know your neighbor is watching and knows 

you check the weather every morning in your undies. 

cover up. 

or get stalked. 

My 

VERSION

 DAY 

14:

Miss America. 

Right.

Here.

That's right, a plain white tank top and mismatched Valentine's Day socks. 

(Blame my blog for not getting laundry done and so everyone in the house has mismatched socks now.)
My heart has a pizza and BenandJerry's on it.
You are what you eat?
And so my bum is pizza and ice cream. (And green smoothies, but that didn't look as cute on my bum.)

I feel pretty oh so pretty!
I feel pretty and witty and gay!
Oh so pretty, it's a pity that my bum is made out of pizza and ice cream!

I am thinking about having this particular picture in my Boudoir portfolio for clients to look at.
Do you think they would like it??
Do you think they would say, OH THAT IS HOT, I want a pic of ME like that?

Shot at 50mm f/1.8 1/320 ISO 800... lots of noise.... But wanted natural light.

Have a lovely day!!

PEACE OUT FROM Old California girl from the WEST SIDE. Keeping it real.
West Side song... .by the way, probably not what you are expecting since I broke out the West Side attitude talk.... go back a paragraph and you'll get the song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7BQRGXFLJs

Peace, Love, Laughter and

BenNJerry's Ice Cream

No-cookie-dough-L

28 Days of Natural Beauty- DAY 11 I promise...

Day 11

all rights Vassarette. Copyright Glamour De 2010

OK

So 

today

you 

are

quickly

scrolling 

down 

to 

see 

if 

I 

did 

it,

this

time.

Day 11

AWWWW

COME ON...

Did 

 

you really

think

that I would

be brave 

enough 

to pull 

that one off? 

Sorry. 

Not yet.

Not that one. 

BUT......

 I promise

NEXT WEEK

I will pose for one

of these adds.

My way.

The 

Natural Beauty

 way.

PINKIE PROMISE.

until then... 

Keep smiling! 

can't believe you fell for that one too! :)

Peace, Love, Laughter,

and pancakes.

strawberry.

No007L

28 Days of Natural Beauty- Day 10 ???

28 Days of Natural Beauty- Day 10 ???

Day 10 

All rights reserved Lollipop Bling-Mariah Carey. Copyright Glamous December 2010  

Interesting ad.

What is going on here?

And why does Mariah Carey looks so UNSURE?

     Why are there Ring Pops on my hands?
      I haven't had a Ring Pop since 6th grade. 
     Why are there butterflies and lollipops all around me?
She looks confused.
     Why did I name my new perfumes: Lollipop Bling?
     This ad is sooooo junior high. 
     I thought my target audience was going to be adults? 
     When is lunch? I'm hungry.


She is so pretty and has such a great voice. 
This is picture is a bit odd. 


My version: Day 10

Borrowed some rings from the girls. 

So sorry to disappoint you, no Ring Pops.

Photog Stuff:  Inside: Speedlight & shoot through umbrella. Put the reflector on the other side of me to try to get a little light bouncing up into the shadows.
70mm f3/5  1/200 ISO 200 Light set at: 23 b/c it was about 3 feet away from me.


Feeling unsure, like M.C. in this pic, happens. It happens to all of us.
Even those of us working on our confidence, daily.
Last night I felt unsure.
Doubt creeps in and you don't know how or what to do to get out of that mindset.
Worrying about this or that.
It feels like reality.
I was SO glad that I had posted that blog on perspective yesterday.
I grabbed myself up and shook it off.
Looked in the mirror and told myself... It will all be ok.
No. It will all be great. It will ALL work out.
Everything is good.
I forced a smile and then sat quietly and thought about 10 wonderful things I'm truly thankful for.
OH did that HELP!
Fake smiling always turns into real smile within seconds.
It's a medical fact that smiling is good for you.
"Smiling is my favorite." elf

THEN.... 

to even lift myself into a happier mood,

I 

listened

to 

the

Best

Mariah 

Carey

song

ever:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6V-gHfTAa4k

Well... this and Santa Baby. 

Pease, Love, Gratitude, Laughter and 

Lollipops 

No-ezll 

    

28 Days of Natural Beauty- Day 9 Heels and Dishwashers

28 Days of Natural Beauty- Day 9 Heels and Dishwashers

Day 8

Copyright Glamour Dec 2010 pg. 267 "baby it's warm inside." photograph by Frederike Helwig

Heels and Dishwashers go together like:
Fish and Chips,
Mustard and Hot Dogs,
Me and Cozy Pj bottoms,
My husband and college football.

WAIT... these things make sense...
LET's try that again......

Heels and Dishwashers go together like:
Cats and good listeners,
Cell phones and water,
A ceramic Coach Pete bobblehead and my kitchen tile floor,
My sister and a person eating a banana next to her.

YES, that's much better.

DAY 8... My version.

1. This is what I used to look like and feel when I had to do dishes.

Heels and unloading the dishwasher are funny.

Thinking about it helps me lighten up on life.
I think it's funny. But maybe others think it's practical or sexy? Hmmm... I don't know..

Pulled out the DUSTY heels from under the bed for this one!

1. Now this is what I try to FEEL like when I put dishes away. 
2. I've tried to turn it into a positive time to be thankful life.
3. Perspective.
4. I put dishes away and sort of meditate.
5. "I am thankful for a working dishwasher. I am thankful for healthy kids. I am thankful God blessed us with rain for our dry grass....etc."
6. YES, those are dishes in my washer and sink... this is REALITY. :) Well, in my word of 3 busy kids, it is. 

Light: white umbrella, shoot through w/ speedlight. No kitchen light above. Tungsten light doesn't mix well with flash light..

Specs: Shot at  24mm f/5 1/200 ISO 400....Flash set at 50mm

Yesterday I was reminded about perspective.
How our perspective shapes the way we look at our life.
I met a baby who was on his way to heaven in a few days.
His parents and family were amazing, sweet and peaceful.

On my drive home I hit a large black plastic chunk of who-knows-what on the freeway.
It messed up my back tire big time and tore my wheel well liner 3/4ths off.
A nice Nampa police officer was right behind me and pulled over to help me.
I drove home very slowly as my tire deflated.
I didn't care.
It didn't upset me at all.
( I did get a little nervous about all the traffic on the freeway, but that was it.)
I came home, made dinner and hugged and played with my kids all night.
I am so thankful I have healthy kids.
I am so thankful for their smiles.
I am so thankful for my family and so, so, so much more.

Perspective.... Life is what you make it. So true. I am so thankful for what I have.

This is one of my FAVORITE all time songs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiBwr4U59EI&ob=av2n
It's my own feel good song.

Now if you will excuse me, I need to go unload the dishwasher.
Yes, with heels on.
I do believe my 9 year old Black Ann Klien heels will have to do.

Peace, Love, Laughter and

Jello.... to go with the flow today.. be flexible and remember your perspective. 

No-L 

28 Days of Natural Beauty- Day 8

28 Days of Natural Beauty- Day 8 Pizza Kitty

Day 8:CLOSE up, no makeup and Pizza Kitty Scars.

all rights reserved DDF. Copyright: Elle February 12 No. 318

Pizza Kitty:
THE PIZZA: About 2 years ago, I was large and very pregnant with my 3rd child. My dear friend invited me over for lunch and kiddo playdate. 
HOT FRESH pizza was delivered for lunch. Or maybe it was pizza Digiorno's? he he.
Either way, my friend handed me a plate with a huge HOT piece of pepperoni pizza for my pregnant appetite.
I plopped on the couch in front of her TV and blew on my pizza for a second.
I set it on my lap to cool down a bit before I inhaled it- like a good pregnant woman with a delicious piece of pizza in front of her should do.

THE KITTY:
A young black n white SUPER hyper and aggressive kitty was just adopted by my friend's sister. I'm pretty sure her owner had given her too much kitty grass.

KITTY MEETS PIZZA: 
I set the pizza on my lap. Crazy kitty jumped up on couch.
Crazy kitty ran on couch and JUMPED straight onto my plate of boiling hot lava pepperoni pizza.
Crazy kitty's body and paws and CLAWS went straight from the pizza to my face with her super kitty jumping skills.
Crazy kitty's claws dug into my face long enough for me to pull her off.
Crazy kitty clung to my face like I was a velcro wall.
Crazy kitty gave me a couple new "cool" scars.
They are actually very minor and you probably wouldn't really notice unless I pointed them out to you.
But...if this would have never happened. I would have never had a "cool facial scar story." 
So... there is that. 


My version  Day 8

Specs: My camera doesn't want to take a super close picture of me. It has a hard time focusing. I really need to have it focused in on something and then move that something and take it's place.. but I try to do this while the kids are sleeping, so I can't always us them. I was in a BIG hurry this morning, so I just held the camera. eeesssh. not very flattering... but this is about natural beauty, right? 


Light: The catch light in her eyes look like a soft strip light. 
I used my camera's flash...WHICH IS NEVER a good idea for "nice camera pictures." However, I had only like 5 seconds to take this picture.  Didn't  get close to the ad's light. However, I could have spent a lot more time on it... but I have LOTS to do this morning, so it was crunch time.

Hey, I'm practicing. 

Trying my best.

 Blurry photo or not, you get what you get and you don't throw a fit!

Yes, I used to teach Kindergarten. Why? 

WOW... super close up of my skin. I'm a little nervous about posting this.
I was never a big fan of my profile and my nose being a lovely part of the picture. Thanks to my dad and his ancestors, this is my nose. :)
......and i will continue to try my best to love and accept myself for the way I am.
But I will post it anyway. 

Now, I shall go sit in the lotus position and listen to Enya and breath deep. (well, fore 30 seconds until I get tackled my a toddler.)

BUT  I WILL... TODAY WILL BE GOOD. I will try to LOVE as much as I can.  

I will go with the flow. I will not care what people say about my skin. I will believe that I am beautiful w/ my Pizza Kitty scars...etc. 

I will smile today at people and know that beauty really does come from within. 

Really. It does. 

Time for a good FEEL good song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqUdI4AIDF0&ob=av2n

Only you can help turn the world UPSIDE DOWN! 

who's to say what's impossible? 

Make eye contact and smile at 5 random people today!

Love, Peace, laughter and

pizza. 

Love, 

Noezza (i just like the double Z in pizza) 

28 Days of Natural Beauty- Day 7 sup yo

28 Days of Natural Beauty- Day 7 sup yo

DAY 7: a 50's retro, funky, plastic chain-link purse picture today. 

Go Prada!... Always coming out with the creative stuff. 

Did Prada invent the glass-goldfish-bowl-high heel? 

They should have. 

ANYWAY...

All rights reserved PRADA. Copyright: Elle February 12 No. 318

FACT: Did you know that I had no idea what Prada was until I read the DEVIL Wears Prada?
FACT: I pretended to be SO FASHION forward after that book. I dropped HIGH fashion designer names left and right.
FACT: That was 9 years ago. My fashion forwardness only lasted about 12 months... when my COSMO magazine subscription ended.
FACT: I had no idea about the huge COACH purse fetish that so many woman have until my exterminator was telling me about his wife's addition to the expensive handbags....this was 5 months ago.
FACT: My little black and silver Nine-Westie is still doing a rocking job.

DAY 7... my version, my mini-van in helping in the props part of the photo.

 She did a fabulous modeling job.

 Luckily, I just got her washed yesterday.

 The kids love that drive through car wash. 

Better than a Disneyland ride. 

No, never mind. 

Not even close.  

Light & Specs:
Shot : USED a WIDE angel lens to get a bit of that distorted features look.
@ 24mm ISO 200 1/640  f/2.8... I forgot to change the aperture. I wanted to close it up and shoot at a larger F-stop so that I could get more in focus. (I'll get more sleep tonight and think more clearly tomorrow.) Shot w/Tripod to point camera up.
HAVE I MENTIONED how not easy SELF portrait photography is? Darn, blurry pic again.
It is also a great workout. Click, run back to check the LCD monitor. Run back, strike a pose. Click, run back.... you get it.


LIGHT: All natural morning light again today. Front yard, sun coming up over the (wish I could say mountains) neighbor's rooftops.

My neighbors think I'm nuts. 
I did this out in my front yard, as I don't have any vehicles in my backyard. 
I know, right?
I live in IDAHO and don't have any non-working clunkers in my backyard.?? WHAAAAT?
Hey, I'm classy.
I know what Prada is. And also Coach.  


Retro 50's song for today to go along with our lovely model's bangs and car.
THIS SONG  is so much fun to sing to.

• If you are having a rough day, or want to start the day on a "good note," play this song.
• play it loud.
• sing at the top of your lungs.
• and yes, you do sound JUST like the lead singer.
•  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AapxXRlsdwA
• Well, at least I do. 

Peace, love, laughter

and artichoke hearts

 (marinated, that is.)

Noellelelelelelelellelelele 

or

As most people whom I worked for/or with, used to call me "Nicole."

HA!

 I just found out the #1 BEST thing about being my OWN  BOSS!

No Boss will ever call me Nicole, again. 

Ever. 

Sweet! 

i love owning my own business.

(insert mushy picture of hearts and puppies..)

Have I mentioned how much I ROCK in PAINT? ;)

28 Days of Natural Beauty- Day 6 FB

28 Days of Natural Beauty- Day 6 FB

Day 6:
Warning... I have a touch of A.D.D. this morning.

All rights reserved: CoverGril-Jessica Stam ad.  Copyright: Elle Feb 12 no.318

When we go out at night...

AH-Ha

The stars are shining bright..

GREASE

As for the CoverGirl, Jessica Stam model, I have a Facebook friend that looks like this. 

Does a Facebook friend count as a real friend?

I have several Facebook friends that I have never met before. 

Sometimes when I'm talking about a post they wrote I will refer to them as "my friend."

"Oh, the other day, my friend, posted the funniest thing on Facebook. Well, really she isn't my "friend." I've actually never met her before. But we both like photography and..." 

At this point I realize that I've totally rambled off into Fa-La-La-crazy-Land and I quickly pretend that one of my kids needs me. "oh, excuse me, I think #2 child needs to go potty." 

THE PICTURE: 

This is a night time picture... or one to simulate night. 

Dark make up, dark background.

 Harsh bright light... maybe as if the paparazzi snapped this one? OR a RED Carpet event..

 Oh, this will be fun to pretend for. 

After my version of this shot, I tell you... I will have the paparazzi following me! 

I'm your biggest fan 

I'll follow you until you love me. 

Papa-Papa-razzi

DAY 6 

Me hitting the Red Carpet at 6am. No makeup, no photo-editing... waaaaaa..sniff. WAIT! PRIDE in Natural BEAUTY, RIGHT!?! right. (deep breath) 

Specs: Shot at 1/200 32mm f2/8  I had the flash set at 50mm, super bright. So, really it washed my skin out so you really can't see all the details.

Light. NO lights other than my speedlight on this one. I actually placed it ON the camera also. Other shots I use OCF (off camera flash.) Which is just my flash sitting on a stand shooting/firing thought a white umbrella that helps defuse the light. The flash is off to the side in those shots too, instead of straight in front of the subject.
Oh my, so bright this lovely morning! Even with the diffuser I put on it, so that it would be a little softer. Eyeyeyeyye, I'll be seeing spots for a while.


MY SKIN: The bright flash/light hides and conceals nicely.
You don't get to see all my pours, spots and scars.
 Especially, my Pizza Kitty scars. Those are my favorite facial scars.
 We will get to the Pizza Kitty story on another day, when I can actually point out the scars.

Hmm... I just realized that I rambling into side notes a lot in other conversations, too.
Pizza kitty.
Not just conversations about my Facebook friends.
Yeah, I do ramble off into side notes a lot. Sometimes too much detail.
I love having kids.
You get to blame stuff on them, just like you could blame stuff on your mom or brother or sister when you were young.
I wonder when I will grow up and start taking responsibility for my rambling conversations.
hm. i do not know.
    What I do know, is today I choose to be happy.
        I choose happiness today.
           I hope you do also.
I am flexible and flowing.. all is well.

           Peace, Love, Laughter

and 

applesauce.

Ramma-Lamma-Ding-Dong,

Noelle Rizzo Zuko Olsen Gaga

28 Days of Natural Beauty- Day 5.. keeping it even more simple

28 Days of Natural Beauty- Day 5.. keeping it even more simple


DAY 5:

All rights reserved: Kim Kardashian/Voluptuous fragrance. copyright: Glamour Dec 2010 

I 

BET 

you

 are

 READY 

for

 my

 version!!

Well,

 slow 

down

 your

 roller

 on

 your

 mouse.

 Here.

 IT.

 IS

..........................

Day

 5 

my

 version:

HAHAHAHAH!

 GOTCHA!!!

You didn't actually think I would try this one? Did ja?

Hehehe

1. I did however, put my circus pjs on for this pic, since Kim is swinging in a trapeze-hula-hoop-thingy. 
2. A student gave them to me. 
3. Yes, I have worn them out in public... It was pj day at school and my sweet Kindergartner asked if I was going to wear the pjs he gave me. Of course I had to say yes.
4. After school was over, I HAD to go to the grocery store. Our pantry was Old Mother Hubbard's pantry. 
5. Yes, people looked at me really weird.
6. No, I didn't care. I was comfy. 

HAVE a LOVELY FUN, smiley day!

Peace, love and laughter,

Noellia- the circus clown