MoMoMod Feature!

Several weeks ago, I posted about being selected by Chandra of MoMoMod (More Modern Modesty) to be featured on her blog.  Immediately, my head began to swell to the size of Texas.  No lie.  I was SO flattered!!

And in case you missed all the fuss on Facebook, here it is for you to review. 

Chandra does an excellent job of posting tips and tricks about dressing modestly (and frugally) on her blog.  I have been inspired by her SEVERAL times over.  A true modest fashionista.

Thank you Chandra for your post.  It really made my day!

You can find Chandra on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.

A rose by any other name...

My family and I had our photos taken recently with Urban Rose Photography.  Deanna is not only a talented photgrapher, she is also my friend.  She has this amazing talent of capturing Jon smiling.  I honestly have no idea what kind of spell she has cast on him...but she is the only person he will smile (naturally) for.  YAY DEANNA!!!!!!  You are AWESOME!!

My favorite part about this session is how relaxed and casual we are.  This is the "real" us.  Okay, so we are not really "beach people"...except Ella, but we don't always look perfect, have perfect hair/clothes...and yeah, sometimes our feet get dirty.  I really love how natural we are in these photos.  Thanks Deanna for shooting the Gilliams "as is" and making us look so great!  (and skinny!)

You can follow Deanna's blog or become her friend on Facebook or Twitter.

Here are a couple of sneak peaks of our last session:

c/o Urban Rose Photography

I am having this made into an 11x14 canvas.  Aren't we STUNNING?
Thank you Urban Rose Photography!

A Vintage Find for my Sweet Pea

It is no secret that I am thrift store nut.  I LOVE shopping at the thrift.  A treasure hunt each and every time.  And sometimes you don't even know what kind of treasure you have until you bring it home.  Well, during the Best. Weekend. Ever., I thrifted a vintage Polly Flinders dress for Ella.  It was a gorgeous gold color and a size 4.  I thought I would have to save it until the fall/winter, but I am so glad I went ahead and made her wear it last weekend.  It barely covered her knees!  And looked ADORABLE on her.  THIS is how little girls should dress.  Totally classic, girly and the PERFECT coloring for her.  :)  Ella is wearing a vintage Polly Flinders Smocked Dress, Black Mary Janes from Payless, and a Black Flower Clip from Princy n Paris.

I had a mini photo session (with my iPhone) of her wearing her dress in Modesto, CA.



Jon and Ella (wearing vintage Polly Flinders)

A (rare) sweet moment.

Jon's expression is KILLING me.  HAHAHA!

Apparently, he was coaxing her to FLASH the camera.  BAHAHAHA! 



What can I say, I make beautiful children. 

Me and my Sweet Pea. 
I'm wearing an INC dress, Carlos Santana heels (not shown) and a NY&C headband.

Using Instagram 1977 finish to make the dress look more authentic. 
Jon's (Target) plaid shirt could be vintage too!



Best. Weekend. Ever.

This past weekend was my birthday celebration weekend.  Every year for the last 4 years, my friend Kay-Kay and I get together to celebrate our bdays since they are a week apart.  This year, we added our good mutual friend Tiffany to the group.  Her bday is July 9th and we all celebrated last weekend.  We got a hotel in Sacramento, had dinner at Pete's (a local restaurant) and then walked the scary .4 miles to Rick's Dessert Diner--which was the highlight of the evening.  It was PACKED out.  Bodies everywhere.  A crazy twisting line and desserts galore.  I am pretty sure just inhaling the sugary fumes we gained at least 5 pounds. 

Part of the display case.  It was too crowded to get a wider angled shot.  :|

Happy Birthday to US!!!

Red Velvet Cake, White Chocolate Fudge, Lime Torte & White Chocolate Brownie--FATTIES!!

We stayed up and chatted until midnight.  Yeah, we are SUCH partyers...  And then got up the next morning for some MARATHON thrifting.  How lucky am I that I have friends who love to go thrifting?  Very very lucky.  I know.

With Starbucks in our bellies and a little caffeine jolt to get us started, we hit the first store.  And two hours later we emerged.  VICTORIOUS!  I managed to find a little ride on toy for Ella.  It's a giraffe and she squealed with delight when I brought it home to her.  :)

The next stop was HOT.  As in melt your face off, no air conditioning hot...but we endured for about an hour or so.  I managed to score a new with tags Coach scarf.  Ca-ching!

After that we went to lunch.  Elephant Bar!!  We had the coolest server EVER.  She was so friendly and open.  It made lunch even better.  The best part--besides the fact we all got dessert--was Tiffany was able to invite her to church and she genuinely seemed interested in going.  I am praying Jesus blesses her real good. 

We each got a little dessert!

After that, we had to say goodbye to Tiffany so she could go celebrate her bday with her family and friends.  But me and Kay-Kay weren't finished finding treasures.  We were planning on just ONE more store and then calling it a day.  On the way, we found this little thrift store and low and behold, the entire store was 50% off.  WOOT WOOT!!!  I scored a Peg Perego stroller for $17.  I have been wanting one of these strollers since Jon was a baby...I could just never afford one.  But, I can totally afford $17. 

Finally, we made it to our last stop and I lucked out and found a pair of brown Stuart Weitzmans that appear brand new for $10.  YIPPEE SKIPPEE!!!!

It was a most successful and fun day and I cannot WAIT until next year.  We are already making plans!

Oh, and I should mention that the three of us happen to be married to the greatest guys ever.  All 3 of our boyfriends kept the kiddos for us while we partied and played.  The Best.Weekend. Ever.  Indeed.  :)