I hate packing.  It gives me major anxiety.  Like, should I pack my outfits together, or should I pack them in the order that they are going to be worn, maybe I should roll them up, or should I just fold them neatly; what should I do?   Packing has never been fun for me.  Don’t even get me started on the shoes.  How many, which ones, all of them?  It’s a mess!

This year is kind of different, though.  I packed my suitcase for BlogHer’10, and I loved every minute of it.  I decided to roll up my clothes, for maximum room.  I also decided to group my outfits, but not by day, because when it all boils down I have all these clothes that can be switched around and worn with each other.   Versatility, yo.

Early last week I whined about not having great clothes to wear.  And, shortly thereafter my clothing fairy godmothers(and fathers)*came through for me.  I really do feel like Cinderella going to the ball.

Maybe that’s why it was so easy to pack.  Everything going into the suitcase, bound for New York City, is new and fresh.  There are new experiences and adventures around the corner.  I can’t help but feel giddy, complete with butterflies in my belly and stars in my eyes.

While I’m gone I will push myself a bit, stretch a little more in my passion, gather around those that I consider my people, and I intend to shine and feel good.  We all deserve to shine and feel good.  I wish that for every single person.

Shine and feel good.  You owe that to yourself.  I’ve finally realized this.

*Gap, Lane Bryant, Eliza Parker, Alight, IGIGI, and Dress Barn
{Disclosure: my wardrobe for BlogHer10 is courtesy of these wonderful “fairy godmothers & fathers!}

Get your mind out of the gutter!

* * * * * *

It’s no secret: I love bags!  I’ve always loved them. There’s even a long standing joke between Michael and myself about the number of purses I own or have owned in the 16 years we have been together.  That being said, I have always  feared that my purse box would mysteriously disappear from where it is stored.  I have that many purses.  And, he has that much disdain over this fact.  But, now, my purse love has turned into camera bag love.  Mostly because I have to take my camera with me [almost] everywhere I go.  Yes, even to Wal-mart!  You never know when there will be some shopping excursion that needs documenting, right?

My first camera bag was, of course, the big Canon bag that could—at the time—house my gear and then some, but now would not even come close to fitting all my equipment.  I soon realized that I needed something smaller and less noticeable (and cooler, too!)  I got a Crumpler.  That bag was just big enough for my XTi with my 24-70mm f/2.8 and my Speedlite.  The last time I opened it up was on Christmas morning of 2009, also known as Christmas 5DMK2!  That bag would prove to be way too small, and I was relegated to carrying my big Canon bag around.  But, that wouldn’t be the best option.  I mean, who wants to roll around town with a big Canon bag on her shoulder?  This would be the end of taking my camera on shopping trips.  Then came an Epiphanie, and her name was Lola.   All was right with the world.

Recently, though, I was sent a beautiful *Kelly Moore Bag to review.  I chose the the yellow messenger style because I have always LOVED that kind of bag.  I wanted something totally different from Lola, and [Mustard Boy -oh- boy] did I get it!

This Kelly Moore Bag is great to take on photo-shoots.  I love how I can easily open the flap and get whatever piece of equipment I need out.  There are two side pockets that are perfect for my cell phone and sunglasses.  There’s a front zipper pocket that is big enough for my hardcase wallet and then two zipper pockets that I keep extra memory cards, batteries, the collapsible lenshood for my 50mm, Lensbaby focus rings, and business cards.  There’s even room for lipstick!   If I had a mini, I would definitely be able to take that with me, too, carrying it in the back pocket.  My laptop actually fits, it’s just too heavy to carry in there since I don’t have one of those lightweight, handy-dandy Macs.    Also, the bag closes with really strong magnets, and I am totally not nervous when I carry and use it.

Oh, and, there are three different styles, with many different colors to choose from; there’s a bag to suit everyone’s taste.

All-in-all, for me, the Kelly Moore Mustard Boy Bog is the perfect addition to my camera bag collection.  I absolutely love its versatility, and when I carry it around with me on shoots (or even just photo walks on, say, Lake Laniere or the fireworks show in Dahlonega) I feel totally professional yet hip, at the same time.

Which brings me to my big news:

I am giving away a Kelly Moore Bag!

However, I AM going to make you work for it!

Here’s what you have to do…

To be entered to win (1) Kelly Moore Bag you can:

1. Leave me a comment telling me which bag is your favorite. See them all: Here (1 point)
2. Follow Kelly Moore on Twitter. (2 points)
3. Join the Kelly Moore Bag Group on Facebook. (2 points)
4. Submit  a self portrait (a selfy-pee, ya’ll know how I roll) WITH your camera, camera gear, camera bag in the picture; the more creative the better!   Feel free to use your cell phone, your point-and-shoot, your DSLR, or your Diana!  (5 points)

(Make sure you tell me what you’ve done to be entered, in the comments section. Also, in the comments section—if you’ve done #4  just link to your blog post, Flickr, Photobucket, Facebook, or where ever you have your submission hosted!)

Here’s an example of what I’m looking for in regards to the selfy-pee:

You have until August 4th to get your picture in, and the winner will be announced on August 5th.  A winner will be chosen at random.

Ready. Set. Shoot.

*Kelly Moore Bag: Watch the video!!

I can say this with pride:  I have fierce friends.

They’ve got it all; beauty, smarts, attitude, a funny bone, a keen fashion sense, awesome mothering skills, and a determination that makes me proud to call them my sisters.

Oh and they like purses*.  Ahhh, purses.  Who doesn’t like purses?

When I went to Type-A Mom Conference in September, I was lucky to be a part of a group of speakers who were invited to Dress Barn.  We were decked out, head-to-toe, with clothing, jewelery, shoes, and purses.

Anissa chose a sexy dress that *ehem* accentuated her stellar rack.   She worked that dress; it was seemingly made for her.

The next morning when we put on a little fashion show, for our fellow conference goers, Anissa was called up first.  She worked that stage.  She owned it.  She had this look on her face of strength, beauty, and wisdom.   She’s a total package, that one!

Anissa’s fierce.  Believe that.

(Check Anissa’s Hope4Peyton Blog for updates from her husband, Peter. And keep praying and sending out those awesome positive vibes for our friend.)

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*Dress Barn sent me this great clutch to give away to one of my readers.  I got one, too.  A brownish one.  Oh, Michael’s gotta be thrilled that my “timeless” purse collection is growing.

Just tell me why you love your girlfriends, your sisters.

I’ll randomly pic a winner and announce it Monday, November 23rd.

I can say proudly that I have good hair.   No, I have great hair.  I do.  It’s thick, it’s lustrous, it’s got texture, and above all I know how to style it.   This is positively the effect of having a hairdresser for a mother.   I grew up with all kinds of styles, products, and tools of the trade.   Not only did I have these things at my disposal, I had a whole arsenal of hairdressers from whom I learned, at the hair salon that my mother managed.

My hair evolution:

• In the 70′s I donned cutesy home made ribbon barrettes, french braids, side ponies, and the like.  My hair was my mom’s playground.
• In the 80′s I  convinced my mom to give me a wormy-perm.  I also convinced her to straighten it, not even two days later.  I then mastered the teased out bitch flip.  Two words: Aqua Net

• In the 90′s I embraced my curl and natural flow.  I call this phase the “Eric” phase for the running-of-fingers-through-the-hair-to-achieve-that-oh-so-perfect-yet-not-perfect-look!
• In the early 00′s I didn’t care enough because, quite honestly, I was too busy diapering, feeding, bathing, and taking care of everyone buy myself.
• In the mid 00′s I conquered a pixie style.  I had lost a crap-load of weight and craved something new. Pixie it was, and…
• In the late 00′s I did the asymmetrical Posh Spice thing and then went back to short hair.  I went short in hopes that it would make me realize just how fat my face was.  Like reverse psychology?  Yeah, that worked!  Mmmm Hmmmm.

It’s growing out nicely now and I am forced to remember the techniques I learned, way back when.   Upside down blow jobs (ha!) are KEY.  After all, I can’t have after-sex-hair every day of the week.    And we all know that “after-sex-hair” always looks the best!   I guess you can say that a hair dryer is like a vibrator, in this situation.   A girl’s gotta do, what a girl’s gotta do.

S E L F P O R T R A I T C H A L L E N G E