Oh, blog reader. You are really going to love me. Well, if you love knowing about who the most amazing tattoo artists are in the Philadelphia area are, and getting an in-depth look at them, their art, and hearing it straight from the artist’s mouth, that is. Interested yet? Keep reading.

I’ve been bubbling over with excitement about a new feature that I am going to have here. I’ll be interviewing some of the most talented artists in Philly, showing you photos of them doing what they do best (tattooing, silly! what else would I be talking about?!), and showing off some of their work, too. I cannot wait to interview my first artist on Thursday night. I don’t want to spoil the fun and tell you who he is, yet, but his work is amazing. One of my first clients had some artwork from this guy. I loved it so much that I convinced my husband to use him for his first tattoo. (It didn’t actually take much convincing once we looked through his work.)

I’ll be in the Olde City on Thursday. (hint, hint)

Check back here for the goods in a few days!

I wanted to do the B Family justice, so here goes with a real blog post. I met Mama B at an art and craft fair on Passyunk Avenue. I had a table next to hers. She makes these awesome smelling soy lotion candles, which can be had at her website www.evanandearth.com, btw. Anyway, as we are both chatters, we started talking (Daddy B was there too, and wasn’t shy with the talk either. Love it!) Mama B was very pregnant, and it was quite hot. She was a trooper, though. I think she complained less than I did. We exchanged business cards, and, I got an email from her shortly before she was to deliver. Only, I was going on vacation and couldn’t do it. But Mama B is so sweet, with her pretty southern accent and charm. How could I say no? But, that meant I didn’t get to edit their photos for a sneak peek as quickly as I wanted to. They were so gracious, though. Even when I ran into them later on in Target, they shook their heads understandingly when I told them it would just be a few more days. Big Brother even squealed with a little excitement when he saw me, sweet boy! Patient B family, here is the rest of your sneak peek.

You would not believe how perfect this mama to be’s skin was. I could not believe that she made it through this much of her pregnancy with not a single stretch mark, but she did. Her belly is perfect. She attributes it to faithful lotion application, but I think it’s gotta be good genes. Either way, that perfect belly was attached to the lovely Jess, who is also attached to the equally lovely Kevin. (Although I couldn’t remember his name was Kevin at first. Embarrassing. I stink at names.) Even after I showed up at her mom’s house and the session was subsequently moved there, Jess and Kevin were sweet and funny, and you could see how much fun they have together. This little baby on the way is one lucky girl to have such loving parents! Thanks, guys, for being so gracious about me calling Kevin “you” that time and for, uh, not coming to your house. I can’t wait to meet your little one and hope she is on the way soon!
I had to use some restraint and not post all of the pictures from their session – I had so many favorites!

Just one for now of the darling second son of the B Family. I have been on vacation until today and the B Family has been incredibly patient waiting for their sneak peek. I wanted to edit at least one for you guys to see when I got home tonight! More to come, soon. And, you, dear readers, will hear the story of how I met the B Family and of the very cool, earth friendly and good smelling product made by the company owned by Mama B. Full story at 11. Oh wait, it’s after 11. Let me just show you the cute baby instead.

Today, I met Spiderman.  He taught me about the mechanics of web shooting, explained about surfaces to which a web will not adhere, and turned me into a frog.  And then his sidekick (who is also his very cute blue eyed baby brother) taught me that if “Spiderman” is too hard to say, you just call him “Bubba”.  This duo had some of the prettiest blue eyes I’ve ever seen (courtesy of their mama, I believe).  They were troopers for such a hot July morning.  They gave each toy we presented them with at least a cursory try for a photo op.  And, just as I promised Spidey, we did take some of him at the end in his costume.  He was even allowed to jump off of the ottoman!

Thanks, D family.  You’re too cute and it was a lot of fun!

I had the pleasure of meeting this family on a sunny Sunday afternoon.  The day before, we had to cancel at the last minute because of pouring rain, so the weather was considerably better when I arrived and was greeted by this adorable family, completed by their trusty golden companion.  We started out inside, but, Mr. J had other ideas – it was much too nice outside for him to play inside for too long.  And who could blame him?  The heat had finally broken, and this lovely green yard beckoned.  We ran around, we blew bubbles, we enticed Trooper the Dog with cookies.  All in all, a fun afternoon capturing a sweet little family time.

With Leo

This dog seriously loved to be photographed.  He was posing!

Sweet mama and girl time.

And, a girl and her daddy.  <3

Two pals – a boy and his dog.

Thanks for the fun, S Family!

I’m always impressed when parents have the restraint to be surprised by the sex of their baby in the delivery room. But this family was really surprised, to even be there in the first place! This little girl decided to make her entrance three weeks early! She just couldn’t wait to meet them! And with good reason, quite honestly. They are awesome – such a great, supportive team for each other already. Mama has this mommy thing down, even her own mom was impressed. Daddy, too. And, he is just in love with his little girl, too, there was no hiding that. It was easy to see all of the love in this house!
Anyway, thanks, J and J, your baby is darling. I know you know that, I only told you ten million times. And, thank you, baby H, for waiting until I was done! Can’t wait to show you the rest of these. And there are a lot!

I was so happy to be going back to see this family on Saturday!  Mr. X and his parents are some of my most favorite clients ever!  I wind up chatting with both parents half of the time because they are so cool.  Mom and Dad have made all of these really cool things for Baby X, from drool bibs to shoes!  Meaning, they created their own patterns, sewed them (Dad is really the one who can take the credit for this part), everything.  They’re just cool, interesting and fun.  Not to mention, they impress neurotic little me with how laid back they are!   (They let me put temporary tattoos on their six month old baby.  Let me?  They were happy to, because they had their own!)  I was also happy once I got there, because this boy who I photographed as a newborn has become the sweetest, smiliest, most darling boy ever.  They say he was putting on a show for me, that he’s not always that sweet, but I don’t believe them.  Anyway, K family, it was so great to hang out with you and chat.  Hope you love these as much as I do!  Many more to come, but I was excited to get a few quick ones up to show you.

On Mother’s Day, and on everyday of my life, I am so blessed to be the mother to this incredible child.  I am counting my blessings with all the other moms out there.  When I think about who I was before I had this child to call me mama, I can hardly recognize that person.  I miss how much free time she had, but don’t envy her one bit.  I think I’m the luckiest mama alive.

I’m biased, I admit it.  But I still think I was lucky to have an entire morning with this sweet, pretty girl, walking all over Philly, changing outfits, finding great little spots, laughing, and having a little snack on a gorgeous nearly summery morning.  I’m biased because I’ve been best friends with her mom since we were fourteen, and remember visiting miss O in the hospital when she was born.  But, I still know a pretty girl when I see one.  So, thanks, Miss O, for entertaining my son, for your trick where you got yourself to not smile so much (we should all have such problems!), for wearing those awesome boots even though it was swelteringly hot, and for freaking out the angry guy behind you and your mom on the steps with your silly discussion.  And thanks to you, Awesome Friend, for packing up good outfits and letting your kid stand in an alley behind a restaurant in her good clothes.  Love you both!