Hot Weather Hacks: How I Beat the Heat in the PNW

Hot Weather Hacks: How I Beat the Heat in the PNW

So this week I am writing about ways to beat this heat. With August coming in hot, I wanted to share a few of my favorite ways to stay cool in the summer heat, along with some other effective methods. As someone who is heat sensitive, I usually have to stay out of the sun and avoid the heat like my life depends on it—because it can. Here are some of my tried-and-true methods to keep cool:

Go Swimming

My favorite way to beat the heat is to go swimming. Whether it's at Lake Pend Oreille or your favorite swim hole, there's nothing like taking a dip to cool down. Living in the Pacific Northwest, we're lucky to have so many amazing spots to go swimming.

Take Cold Showers

My new second favorite way to stay cool is cold showers. No joke, I take a cold shower every morning, and if I need to, again later in the day if I can't get to the lake. It really helps me stay cool longer and regulate my body temperature all day.

Use a Cold Rag

Another good way to cool down in a pinch is a cold rag on the back of the neck. I do this when I’m cleaning houses with no AC. It provides instant relief and helps lower your body temperature.

Air Conditioning

Speaking of air conditioning, it's 2024—you'd think most of us would have some form of AC by now, but it’s still considered a luxury for many. If you have it, use it! If not, try to spend time in air-conditioned public spaces like malls or libraries.

Drink Warm Liquids

An old wives' tale I heard on job sites is to drink warm or room temperature liquids all day, not ice cold. The idea is that your body has to warm the ice-cold liquids, while drinking warm or room-temperature things tells your body to cool down. It sounds weird, but there's some science behind it. I even asked my doctor, and he agreed!

Try Cooling Herbs

There are also herbs you can drink as teas to help promote a cooling effect in your body. Peppermint and hibiscus are popular choices. But be careful with this one—it can mess with your body chemistry if not done correctly.

Wear Light Clothing

Wear light, loose-fitting clothing made of natural fabrics like cotton. It helps your skin breathe and keeps you cooler than synthetic fabrics.

Stay Hydrated

This might sound obvious, but staying hydrated is crucial. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Add some slices of cucumber or mint to your water for an extra refreshing twist. Also, watermelon is a good way to stay hydrated and have a snack to…

Use Fans Wisely

If you don’t have AC, use fans strategically. Place a bowl of ice in front of a fan to create a DIY air conditioner. Also, remember to keep windows open at night and closed during the day to keep the cool air in and the hot air out.

Use Blinds

This may sound weird but open and close your blinds in the heat of the day, or as the sun comes over to that part of the house if you can or are home, if not just slightly close them on the hot days and this will help cool the house.

Avoid Strenuous Activities

Try to avoid strenuous activities during the hottest part of the day. If you need to exercise, do it early in the morning or later in the evening when it’s cooler.

Eat Light Meals

Eating heavy meals can increase your body temperature. Opt for light, refreshing foods like salads, fruits, and smoothies to help keep your body cool.

Cool Your Pulse Points

Applying ice packs or cold compresses to your pulse points—wrists, neck, and temples—can help cool your body down quickly.

So there you have it! A mix of my favorite ways to stay cool and some additional tips to help you beat the heat. Drop your favorite ways to beat the heat below and stay cool, Boushie Babes!

Oh, I almost forgot if you happen across any merfolk be sure to say HI for me…

Capturing Emotions: My Journey Through Selfies and Beyond

Capturing Emotions: My Journey Through Selfies and Beyond

Hey Boushie Babes,

Can you guess what the homework was this week? Yes, selfies! That’s right, I had to take selfies, or sometimes hand the camera over to my assistant, to demonstrate the core emotions we aim for in our sessions. This exercise helps me coach you, my clients, to express those same emotions and even more when you step into my studio.

So, what emotions are we covering this week? Joy, confidence (yes, you can coach for confidence!), coy flirtation, longing, states of pleasure, and states of desire. Sounds interesting, right? Like, how and what? No way! But trust me, after a few years of practice, it becomes second nature.

The fun part of this assignment is the continuous learning and growth it brings. By practicing these emotions, I not only grow as an artist but also give you, my clients, the agency to be who you are in front of the camera. It's about capturing the real you, your genuine emotions, and your unique beauty.

I’m sharing a slideshow of my full gallery from this homework, which showcases all my flavors, more than what’s taught in the class. I would love to get some feedback from you. What do you feel when you see these photos? What emotions do you see?

Your insights and feedback mean the world to me. It's through this shared journey that we all grow and become more in tune with our emotions and our true selves.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates and artistic explorations. Your support and engagement inspire me every day. Let’s keep this creative energy flowing!
Watch the full slideshow of my gallery of my homework this week below, don’t forget to let me know what emotions you see as well.

Slideshow

Thank you for being a part of this journey with me. Your love and feedback keep me motivated and inspired!

With love,

Accalia Carter

Boushie Babes Photography Mission Statement 🌟

At Boushie Babes Photography, our mission transcends the realm of capturing moments – it's about orchestrating an experience that empowers, celebrates, and reveals the unique beauty within each individual. We believe in the transformative power of genuine connection, the kind that goes beyond the click of a camera.

Our lens doesn't just freeze time; it narrates stories, weaves dreams, and paints portraits of authenticity. We are devoted to unraveling the multitudes within you, capturing the nuances, the laughter, the vulnerability, and the strength that make you who you are.

In this space, we redefine photography as a celebration of self-expression, self-love, and the kaleidoscope of emotions that define your journey. We specialize in coaching moments, not just capturing them, ensuring that each image is a mirror reflecting the truest version of your essence.

What do you think?

Feel free to share youhr toughts and emotions in the comments.

Let’s continue to inspire and uplift each other!

When Food Becomes the Enemy: Anathea’s Battle with Health and Finding Harmony

This week, Boushie Babes, I want to say is less but it’s more for me at least, because its close to home as well, it’s about my daughter again, she came in and wanted to tell her story more…

And if you know our family we do things big around here, go big or go home, and in this case, she did both…

This was a storytelling session, these can go long or short, just depending on the story being told.

She wanted to tell about the struggle of eating for her, it’s been hard and kept her small, and barely able to keep weight on and at times not even able to do that.

This session was about all of that and the comeback she is making, in the natural way….

A picture is worth a thousand words so….

This past year has been a rollercoaster for my daughter, Anathea, as she faced some significant health challenges. It’s been a journey filled with uncertainty, frustration, and, ultimately, hope.

Imagine waiting months just to see a doctor, only to be met with quick fixes that don’t address the root of the problem. That’s been Anathea’s reality. She’s often faced doctors who focus solely on masking symptoms with medication or suggesting invasive surgeries without exploring every other option first. It's a fragmented approach to health that has left us both feeling frustrated and lost at times.

Anathea’s illness is invisible, making it all the more challenging. People can’t see the pain she’s in, so they make assumptions and jump to conclusions about her. They don’t understand the battles she fights daily, which can lead to unfair judgments. It’s a lonely experience, dealing with something so profound that isn’t immediately visible to the outside world.

However, Anathea has been blessed with an incredibly loving and supportive community. She’s worked hard to build this network of caring individuals who have been there for her through thick and thin. Their love and support have been nothing short of lifesaving. With their encouragement, she has finally found a treatment that seems to be working. Without their unwavering support, she would have felt lost.

It’s not easy to be open and share personal struggles, but Anathea has learned that it’s crucial. When you have good people in your life, they want to know what you’re going through. They want to support and help in any way they can. It’s important to let them in and not try to go through it alone. You don’t have to.

Anathea’s journey has taught us both a valuable lesson: even when it feels like you’ve hit rock bottom, there is always a way up. Her resilience and the love of her community have been the guiding light through the darkest times. She inspires me every day with her courage and determination.

For anyone out there facing similar struggles, remember this: you are not alone. Reach out to those who care about you. Share your story. Allow them to help. With the right support, you can find the strength to keep moving forward.

🌟 Boushie Babes Photography Mission Statement 🌟

At Boushie Babes Photography, our mission transcends the realm of capturing moments – it's about orchestrating an experience that empowers, celebrates, and reveals the unique beauty within each individual. We believe in the transformative power of genuine connection, the kind that goes beyond the click of a camera.

Our lens doesn't just freeze time; it narrates stories, weaves dreams, and paints portraits of authenticity. We are devoted to unraveling the multitudes within you, capturing the nuances, the laughter, the vulnerability, and the strength that make you who you are.

In this space, we redefine photography as a celebration of self-expression, self-love, and the kaleidoscope of emotions that define your journey. We specialize in coaching moments, not just capturing them, ensuring that each image is a mirror reflecting the truest version of your essence.

Embracing the Goddess Rising: A Daily Practice for Inner and Outer Well-being

Embracing the Goddess Rising: A Daily Practice for Inner and Outer Well-being

In our fast-paced world, finding a daily ritual that centers and rejuvenates us is essential. For me, this practice is my "Goddess Rising" routine. It's a sacred time each morning that fills my cup so I can better serve others, helps maintain a healthy lifestyle for longevity, and creates space for healing, ensuring I don't carry past hurts forward. This practice is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity for my well-being.

The Importance of a Morning Routine

Why is my Goddess Rising practice so important? Here are a few reasons:

1. Creating a Cup-Filling Morning: Starting the day with intention sets the tone for everything that follows. By taking time for myself, I can approach my work and interactions with a full heart and mind, ready to give my best.

2. Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle for Longevity: Consistent routines help establish habits that support long-term health. This practice ensures I prioritize my physical and mental health daily, promoting a balanced and sustainable lifestyle.

3. Healing and Emotional Release: By dedicating time each day to self-care, I create a space to process and release emotions. This prevents me from carrying unresolved feelings into the future, allowing for personal growth and healing.

My Goddess Rising Routine

Here’s a glimpse into my daily practice:

Waking Up Early

I wake up at 4:44 AM, six days a week. This specific time resonates with me, though I listen to my body and allow for extra sleep when needed. Sleep is crucial, so I aim to be in bed by 10 PM to ensure I’m well-rested.

Hydration and Hygiene

Upon waking, I drink a glass of water to rehydrate. Then, I brush my teeth and use a neti pot. This routine clears my sinuses and helps me start the day with a clear head.

Morning Affirmations

As I prepare for the day, I listen to my morning affirmations recording. These positive statements set a powerful and uplifting tone for my day, reinforcing my intentions and mindset.

Workout and Stretching

Physical activity is a key part of my routine, especially given my degenerative back condition. I engage in a workout and stretch routine tailored to my needs, which helps manage my condition and keep me active.

Hot Bath and Cold Shower

After my workout, I take a hot bath to relax my muscles. This is followed by a cold shower, which is particularly beneficial as I navigate pre-menopause. The contrast of hot and cold helps regulate my body and invigorate my senses.

Why This Routine Matters

In today’s busy world, having a structured morning practice is a must. It provides a sense of stability and control, no matter what the day brings. By investing in myself first thing in the morning, I ensure I am at my best for my clients, my loved ones, and myself. This Goddess Rising practice is my foundation for a balanced, healthy, and fulfilled life.

Adopting a morning routine that resonates with you can transform your life. It doesn't have to look exactly like mine; what matters is finding what fills your cup and sustains your well-being. Here's to rising each day with the energy, peace, and intention of a goddess.

I am a Boushie Babe!

I am a strong empowered Goddess!

I embrace my divine feminine and all that she creates!

I make time to nourish my body, mind, and soul daily!

I empower others along the way!

I am a Boushie Babe!!!

Capturing Destiny's Joy: A Spur-of-the-Moment Maternity Session

In the world of photography, there are moments that transcend the ordinary and become cherished memories for a lifetime. Destiny's spur-of-the-moment maternity session with Boushie Babes Photography is one such beautiful story that we had the privilege to capture.

Destiny, a radiant mother of two, was eagerly awaiting the arrival of her third child. The catch? She wanted it to be a surprise – no peeking at the ultrasound to discover the baby's sex. As her due date came and went, and with a home birth planned, Destiny was growing more and more impatient for the arrival of her little one.

One day, she reached out to us with an idea that filled our hearts with excitement. Destiny wanted to document this precious time in her life, to have a moment just for herself before welcoming baby number three. And so, the idea for a spontaneous maternity photoshoot was born.

What made this session even more special was the location. Destiny wanted to do it right where she was living, in the midst of her daily life. As her friend and photographer, I was more than happy to come to her and capture these authentic moments.

The connection I share with Destiny runs deep; I've known her her whole life and even went to school with her parents. Being entrusted with capturing her pregnancy journey was a delightful honor.

Throughout the session, Destiny couldn't help but ask me for my prediction regarding the baby's sex. Without hesitation, I confidently proclaimed, "It's going to be a girl, no doubt!" Destiny's eyes sparkled with curiosity and excitement, but she had to wait a little longer to find out if my intuition was right.

The resulting photos from that session tell a beautiful story of a mother's love and anticipation. They capture the joy, the waiting, the hope, and the quiet moments of reflection before the arrival of her third precious child.

At Boushie Babes Photography, we believe in capturing those once-in-a-lifetime moments – the moments you want to cherish forever. Destiny's spur-of-the-moment maternity session embodies this philosophy. It reminds us that photography isn't just about pictures; it's about freezing time, preserving emotions, and creating memories that will be treasured for generations to come.

As destiny would have it, the wait was worth it. Destiny's baby was indeed a girl, just as I had predicted. It was a moment of sheer joy and fulfillment, one that Destiny and her family will always carry with them.

We are immensely grateful to Destiny for allowing us to be part of this incredible journey. It's a testament to the power of photography to capture the essence of life's most beautiful moments, and it reminds us why we do what we do.

If you're looking to capture your own special moments, whether it's a maternity session, a family portrait, or any other cherished event, don't hesitate to reach out to us at Boushie Babes Photography. We're here to help you create memories that will last a lifetime.

Embracing the Curls: A Personal Hair Care Journey

Hey there, lovely readers! 👋

✨ Today, we're diving into a more personal topic that's close to the heart and the roots—curly hair care. As someone who has spent four decades navigating the twists and turns of curly locks, I'm here to share the wisdom I wish I had known 40 years ago. So, if you're ready to embark on a curly hair care adventure, keep reading for some tried-and-true tips that have transformed my tresses!

1. Shampoo Strategically

Gone are the days of daily shampooing! One of the most valuable lessons I've learned is to use shampoo only when your scalp truly needs it. Keep it as close to the scalp as possible and focus on cleansing the roots. Over-shampooing can strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving your curls dry and frizzy. Opt for sulfate-free, gentle shampoos to maintain your hair's natural moisture balance.

2. Tame with a Wet-Dry Brush

Say hello to the magical wet-dry brush—a game-changer for curly hair! Use it exclusively in the shower or bath when your hair is wet and coated with conditioner. This nifty tool helps detangle your curls without causing breakage or frizz. Start from the tips and work your way up, gently easing out knots and tangles as you go.

3. Conditioner, Your Best Friend

Curly hair craves moisture like a desert craves rain. Use as much conditioner as your hair needs, and don't hesitate to switch it up every now and then. Just like our skin changes over the years, our hair's needs evolve too. Experiment with different formulas and find what your curls adore. After all, happy curls are well-moisturized curls!

4. Embrace the Magic of Hair Oil

Ah, hair oil, the elixir of lusciousness! If your curly hair tends to be on the dry side (like mine), embrace the power of hair oil. Start at the tips and work your way up, distributing the oil evenly through your curls. Don't be afraid to use more than you think you should—I've found that my hair drinks it up with delight. The result? Hair that's gleaming, hydrated, and utterly fabulous.

5. Let Go of Styling Products (If You Want To)

Here's a secret: sometimes, less is more. I've recently bid adieu to my faithful mousse and hair spray companions, and my hair couldn't be happier—or more cost-effective! Embracing my natural curls has brought out their true beauty, and I've found that simplicity can be stunning. Of course, feel free to play around and find what works best for your hair's unique personality.

Curly Hair, Unleash Your Radiance!

So there you have it, a glimpse into my curly hair care journey and the lessons I've gathered along the way. Remember, your curls are as unique as you are, and they deserve to be celebrated in all their glorious forms. Treat your locks with love, patience, and a touch of experimentation, and watch them flourish like never before.

Here's to embracing the curls and celebrating the beauty of every twist and turn in our hair journeys! 🌀🌟

Until next time,

Accalia Carter Founder, Boushie Babes Photography

P.S. Curly-haired beauties, what are some of your favorite hair care tips? Share your wisdom in the comments below! 💬🌀

Capturing Self-Love and Joy: Courtney's Unforgettable Experience with Boushie Babes Photography

At Boushie Babes Photography, our mission has always been to capture the essence of self-love, confidence, and pure joy through the art of photography. Every client we have the pleasure of working with brings their unique story, energy, and dreams to our studio, and Courtney's experience was no exception. Courtney, a remarkable woman with an undeniable zest for life, embarked on a journey of self-celebration that left an indelible mark on all of us.

In a world where the hustle and bustle of everyday life often takes precedence, Courtney decided it was time to treat herself. Even though times were a bit tight, she recognized the importance of cherishing her own essence and embracing her individuality. That's when she stumbled upon one of our exciting giveaways – an opportunity she couldn't resist.

With a heart full of excitement and anticipation, Courtney not only claimed her giveaway session but also decided to go the extra mile by adding some incredible extras to make her experience truly exceptional. It was a testament to her commitment to celebrating herself, even in the face of financial constraints. At Boushie Babes Photography, we're all about making dreams come true, and Courtney's determination to embrace self-love resonated deeply with us.

Recognizing the diverse financial situations that our clients may face, we were thrilled to offer Courtney our post-payment plan options. With payments as low as $100 a month, we ensured that she could enjoy her photography experience without added financial stress. This flexible approach allowed Courtney to focus on the magic of her session without worrying about immediate costs.

From the moment Courtney stepped into our studio, her vibrant energy filled the space. Our talented team of photographers, stylists, and creatives immediately connected with her, forming a bond that would make the entire process feel like a fun and exciting adventure. Laughter echoed through the studio as Courtney embraced each moment, showcasing her genuine smiles, fierce confidence, and carefree spirit.

As the session progressed, Courtney's magnetic personality shone through, making every click of the camera a celebration of her unique self. We danced, laughed, and captured fleeting moments that would forever be frozen in time, reminding her of the beauty of being unapologetically herself.

One of the most heartwarming aspects of Courtney's journey was her determination to have her stunning photo album in her hands as soon as possible. Fueled by her eagerness to relive the joyous moments, she decided to pay off her album early. Her dedication and excitement were truly inspiring, and it was a pleasure to witness her delight as she held her personalized album, filled with memories that would last a lifetime.

Courtney's experience with Boushie Babes Photography was a testament to the power of self-love, the joy of embracing the moment, and the beauty of creating lasting memories. Her journey, from taking advantage of our giveaway to exploring post-payment plans and ultimately receiving her album ahead of schedule, encapsulates the essence of our studio's values.

At Boushie Babes Photography, every client is more than a photoshoot – they're a part of our family. Courtney's radiant spirit and determination left an indelible mark on our hearts, reminding us once again why we do what we do. We are honored to have been a part of Courtney's self-celebration journey, and we look forward to welcoming many more extraordinary individuals like her through our studio doors.

If you're ready to embark on a journey of self-love, joy, and stunning photography, just like Courtney did, we invite you to explore our range of sessions and flexible payment options. Your story is unique, and we can't wait to capture it in its full, beautiful glory. Contact us today and let's begin this remarkable adventure together!

Love Yourself Series post 19, Melisa

In this series within my blog, I will share individual client stories, that they have allowed me to share with you, in hopes of encouraging you to love yourself more right now not when. These are real women, with real stories.

Meet Melisa, she works at the local hospital here in town. She is a mother and a wife. She survived an abusive marriage, worked on herself, and now is married to the best man for her. She is also part of our 40 over 40 campaign as well as our Love yourself campaign, she is 50 this year.

She had to rebuild her mindset after her crappy marriage, and when she finally felt ready she came into celebrating herself, and give a gift to her fabulous hubby. He even came in at the end to help her pick images because she can still be harsh on herself, how many of you are harsh on yourself? She even lost weight but found it made her body image worse, who else has had that happen, I know I have. So, she worked on her inner mindset and still is, progress over perfection. She needed to see the changes, she needed to see herself as sexy and confident.

She gets her lashes done, and gets pampered by taking trips too, but this was more to see herself in a healthier way, a new light. She wanted to see what her hubby is always going on about, and during her shoot, we accomplished just that, she now has a better outlook on herself and her beauty, cause dam she ages like a fine wine. So, below are her love notes, Reveal, and some of her images. She plans on coming in again and again to boost her confidence when she needs it.

Love Yourself Series post 16, Tasha

In this series within my blog, I will share individual client stories, that they have allowed me to share with you, in hopes of encouraging you to love yourself more right now not when. These are real women, with real stories.

Beauty to Bombshell

Meet Tasha, she’s as unconventional as they come, and she always stands true to herself above all else. She never wanted kids or the American dream as society sells it, so she honored that and got beat down for it, she was shamed at times for not wanting what women are supposed to want. She is a 45-year-old badass woman if you ask me.

She jumped on my pre-payment plans last summer and came in this summer for her session, she had been shopping and saving all dam year for this treat, this once-in-a-lifetime experience she had to have. She doesn’t give herself enough credit she thinks she’s boring, yet she is teaching herself guitar, learning to grow plants, loves her pets, works hard, and doesn’t tolerate bullshit.

She planned for a year as I said for this session, so by the time of her style session she had outfits and props, so we just connected and laughed for a while. During her shoot we had so much fun, we found a few outfits that didn’t do her justice, and we found some she totally rocked in. As with all my sessions, we even find some poses that don’t look all that good, but we find way more than are totally amazing and showcase personality.

Love Yourself Series post 15, Debra

In this series within my blog, I will share individual client stories, that they have allowed me to share with you, in hopes of encouraging you to love yourself more right now not when. These are real women, with real stories.

Beauty to Bombshell

Meet Debra, a stay-at-home mom with a part-time job to help provide for her family. She always just felt overlooked and normal. She wanted to do this to show herself she was beautiful just the way she is. Like most of us shorter gals, we feel cute, not confident and sexy, or like a real woman.

So she took the chance to get out of her comfort zone and did something she thanked herself for. She booked a session. She wanted to showcase her style, which was more of shorts and a sweater, or more comfort over style and I loved that. She is bubbly, and always had a smile.

She struggles like most of us do with accepting herself and her body as things change, we have kids or we get a bit older. So we showed her just that, just how amazing she is right now. After 4 kids and life, she finally did something for herself.

We had so much fun, we played, we laughed, and we discovered a bit more of who Debra is. She got see and finally see herself in a new light.

Top 3 Holiday Skin-Boosters

Did you know that I am also a consulting herbalist, and love taking a holistic approach to my health and skincare? I love finding things I already love that when used or eaten right help you look and feel younger. So when I learned about these foods I just had to share, and even one to avoid as well.

1. Sweet Potato

Normally sugars are not so good for your skin, because it sticks to your skin’s collagen proteins, and destroys them causing aging and wrinkles. However, the sugars in sweet potatoes are complex, and combined with fiber are broken down differently that does not damage your skin. Plus, sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamin A which we need in order to create new healthy cells.

2. Roast Beef:

This may be a bit of a surprise since red meat is considered less healthy than other protein sources. I don’t recommend eating it daily. However, there is one nutrient in beef that’s excellent for your skin… CoQ10. CoQ10 is a fabulous antioxidant. It helps offset damages to the skin on a daily basis. Beef also contains amino acids that are essential for collagen production, putting on the fast track to firm, lifted skin.

3. Vodka:

This is a weird one for sure. But the fact is most like a drink or two around the holidays. So if you do, I recommend sticking with low-sugar vodka-based cocktails. You see vodka in small amounts can actually help support circulation- bringing healthy oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells. That helps them stay healthy for longer and adds radiance.

Eggnog is a no-no, there are too many sugars, and tons of rough stuff leaves you bloated on the verge of a breakout. Cut with Almond milk to decrease the sugar overload.

At Home Hand/Foot Spa Day

Do you have dry hands or feet? Maybe you have a few callouses? When I did papers years ago I would have hands and sometimes feet that were cracked and would bleed at times because they were so dry. Here are a few at-home tips and tricks I used when needed.

1. Coconut oil cuticle hydrator:

Skincare expert Mega Brame-Finkelstein turns to coconut oil for extra nourishment on dry cuticles. The heavy oil provides long-lasting moisture. Simply rub a small amount on each fingertip and swath with plastic wrap to let it sink in.

2. Exfoliating baking soda foot soak:

a simple foot soak of baking soda and water will do the trick. Dr. Jaliman says “the baking soda treats calluses because it is abrasive and helps loosen dead skin.”

recipe": add a ratio of 1/2 cup of baking soda for every gallon of warm water in a shallow tub and stir until the powder dissolves. sit back and relax, soaking feet for about 30 minutes. Rinse away the baking soda and pat feet dry before applying lotion or foot cream and slipping on a pair of cotton socks.

Try these out let me know how you like them.

Here is a few more blogs to check out if you like this one:

Spa days

Face masks

Natural oils....

Love Yourself Series, Post #9, Rachelle

In this series within my blog, I will share individual client stories, that they have allowed me to share with you, in hopes of encouraging you to love yourself more right now not when. These are real women, with real stories.

Meet Rachelle, She just turned 51 and really wanted to show herself how beautiful she was, she had never really felt beautiful, and her whole life others told her the opposite, that she was fat, or even shamed her for being her. Her mom used to model, and she felt as though she always fell short of that, and wasn’t enough. As we got to talking she talked more and more about she felt shame around exploring who she was, I mean all the sides of herself.

She never really married or had kids, worked the same job for 20 years, she just finally started to invest in herself. She started to travel more, and do things she always wanted to regardless of what others thought. During the style session, we had a blast and found some amazing pieces for her session and the upcoming trip she was taking to Mexico. She wanted to be tan for her session, and it was kind of just perfect timing.

During her session we talked a lot about how much she never felt beautiful or pretty in her life, she had so much shame around wanting to explore the different sides of herself, she was grateful to have a safe place to explore finally, or a place where there are no judgments, shame, only love an acceptance. I was grateful and honored that she shared her story with me. I mean, isn’t she just amazingly beautiful? I think so.

Here’s what Rachelle had to say after her session:

Rachelle’s Reveal

Power posing, and what is it?

It’s a confidence-building technique used by some of the most successful people on the planet!

There’s even a TED Talk all about it — led by body language specialist, Amy Cuddy.

In her TED Talk, she pointed out how ‘low’ power poses (like hunching your shoulders, folding in your arms, crossing your legs) can often lower self-worth and increase feelings of stress…

Whereas practicing ‘high’ power poses (like standing up tall and taking up space) can help you instantly feel more self-assured and assertive.

And if this is sounding a bit ‘woo woo’ to you — there’s actually a science to back it up.

See, Cuddy and her team conducted a study to put high vs. low power poses to the test.

First, they measured 42 volunteers’ testosterone levels (the “dominance” hormone) and their cortisol levels (the “stress” hormone”).

And then, each volunteer was asked to hold either a low or high power pose for 2 minutes.

Once the 2 minutes were up, they retested their testosterone and cortisol levels, and amazingly:

High power poses increased testosterone by 20% and decreased cortisol levels by 25%!

So how do you do it?

It’s an easy trick that can instantly boost your mood, self-confidence, and outlook for the rest of the day...

And the best part is — it takes seconds. Ready?

First step: Head over to your closest full-length mirror.

Step two: Put your hands on your hips, roll your shoulders back, puff out your chest a bit, and hold your chin up high.

Step three: Take a deep breath — and on your exhale, say one thing you love about yourself out loud.

Did you feel your mood shift?

I know I do when I stand in a power pose, and you know what my clients love the images of their power poses too!! Below are so examples of some power poses tweaked for Boudoir, the clients loved how these came out too.

Love Yourself series, Jenny post #6

In this series within my blog, I will share individual client stories, that they have allowed me to share with you, in hopes of encouraging you to love yourself more right now not when. These are real women, with real stories.

Meet Jenny, a local teacher of Culinary arts at NIC. She found out she had Crohn’s disease, and that led her to a healthier lifestyle and back to school. She has been on her own since she was 12, raised 2 grown daughters. She is celebrating 40 years of being here with us. She had a major tummy tuck to get rid of excess skin and tissue she had from years of medication weigh gain.

She said that learning to love her body now, thinner, yet different has been super hard for her. Her tummy was even more of sensitive spot because of her tuck, and the changes. She did the shoot as a way to showcase her to herself, and treat as well.

During her style session we went over outfits, and we talked about make-up too, I noticed she had 2 different colored eyes, one blue, and one green. In some of the photos you can see a difference in eye color, though the way I did her eye shadow has one eye looking more hazel than green, just an example of how you can bring out different colors using other colors. We had so much fun with this session. I will let you hear her side of things:

https://ck7cr588pwt.typeform.com/to/XWegxoEnApply Now