As a much needed pick me up, the beautiful Michelle arrived with her Mother and I immediately knew where Michelle got her Rapunzel-like beauty.

A Finnish lady with long golden locks and royal blue eyes, Michelle was a natural in front of my camera.

Before we began our photo shoot, I went over the basic ‘rules’ of a Pretty Room Session….first and foremost is ‘noooooo sexy’.  TPR is all about pretty…..not sexy (I’ve talked a lot about that here ).  By the time I finished explaining the essence of our forthcoming shoot, Michelle’s beautiful blue eyes were tearing up.  I let it go and we carried on to wardrobe.

When she entered the photo studio in her new white dress, with her golden locks and natural beauty, I could not help but adorn her with compliments.  Then, more tears….

I had to stop with the compliments or her makeup would wash away….but it was hard to refrain as she really is a beautiful woman and I have a hard time holding back the compliments.

Later on, after the dresses were put away and the two beauties had left the studio, I realized that clearly I hit a soft spot with Michelle, but I don’t really think it’s just Michelle…it’s most women…we don’t see ourselves the way others do.  We are our own worst critics.  We focus on the negative and ignore the positive, so much so that when someone showers us with the truth, that recognition, that revelation, the unveiling of one’s true beauty, can literally bring us to tears…..happy tears, that is.

Well Michelle….I hope you can see yourself as the true beauty that you are….and not just a ‘girl who looks good in pictures’. 

The Pretty Room is slated to open June 1st. Stay tuned for some very important (and oh-so exciting) announcements. xo

In walked the most radiant, stunningly beautiful new Mother, her equally radiant Mother, and ‘the servant’ (as Daddy called himself).  Of course, after all the hellos and ‘nice-to-meet-you’s', I looked down into the newborn car seat and saw the swirl of jet black hair, and could not wait to begin our session.

Here’s a wee peek at what unravelled.

I wish I could share the magic of their story, of how these two met in Kelowna….a boy from Kelowna and a girl from Columbia.  How they came together, were married and now have a baby in Kelowna?   It’s an incredibly tragic, yet triumphant story….One that was fueled by their family’s believe in one love….and the power of prayer.   I feel grateful to have been in your presence….Thank you for sharing for your story…I will never forget what I heard.

I had a conversation with a recent visitor to The Pretty Room (who shall remain nameless…).  When she arrived to her session, she quickly apologized for not having brought anything ‘pretty’ to wear in her session.

She further explained that she doesn’t really wear ‘pretty clothes’…it’s just not how she dresses.

Hey-no big deal…that is pretty much the ‘raison d’être’ for The Pretty Room…..to give women the opportunity to dress in the most feminine and elegant dresses and don flowers in their hair and spin and twirl and revel in all that it means to be girlie…. without fear of judgement or ridicule.

However, it wasn’t the fear of ridicule that inhibited her interest in ‘pretty clothing’…..she thought perhaps it had more to do with her Mother.

My client went on to explain, “I remember my Mother telling me hat she had never really felt ‘pretty’ in her life.  Which is probably why I never really dressed that way…I guess I just wasn’t shown that by my Mother…..”.

Sadly, her Mother passed away 5 years ago.

In that moment there was too much excitement and adrenaline pumping prior to the session to let the weight of those words sink in.  All I could think of, and focus on, was,  ”Today…..you will feel pretty“.

But now that time has passed since our session together, her words have penetrated my heart deeply….A woman, a Mother, confessed to her own daughter that she had never really felt pretty in her lifetime….it breaks my heart.

Every woman on this earth, whether blessed with high cheek bones and long legs, or cursed with an overbite, or freckles, or acne; whether living in North America or the heartbreaking slums of India…..

Every woman deserves to know how it feels to feel pretty.  And not for any man…not for any group of peers…not to fit in, not for Facebook, not for any competition,  just to look herself in the eye, stare at her reflection, or in this case, a photo….and truly love what she sees.

I don’t know about you, but when I hear ‘sustainable’, I immediately think ‘forests’ or resources or food or energy.

Never would I have ever thought to view or analyze my personal life within the perspective of sustainability.

Is my life sustainable?

Hmmmmmmmm.

As the Yogi continued on, she breathed so much unforgetable wisdom, all pertaining to the concept of living a sustainable life.

Essentially the question became, ‘is the life you are living (the energy you are currently exerting, the food you are eating, the stress you are under, the responsibilities and promises you are making, the money you are spending) …Is it sustainable????

Sustainable, by definition, is the ‘capacity to endure’.

So, in other words, does the way you live your life; the tasks you take on, the energy you expend, the daily grind you partake in…..Does it have the capacity to endure??????

Deep hey?

Where are you right now in your life?  How do you feel as you are reading this post?  Is this a space that you can thrive in?   Is this a state you can endure for long periods of time?  Is your current way of life sustainable?

We can evaluate our lives against many measures…..satisfaction, income, personal fulfillment, etc.  But at the end of the day, your current way of life needs to be sustainable, because if it isn’t…..it will not support you in the long term.

If we live a life that is too fast paced, too stressful, our adrenal glands (that are activated in our body during our stress response) literally burn out.  Burnt adrenal glands lead to all kinds of physical and mental issues….including arthritis (which I learned first hand).

Yes, being successful, being great at what we do for a living, chasing ‘the dream’, is all great…..but we need to go about it such a way that is sustainable.

Here’s a great example.  I love love love love love love love love Tim Horton’s egg white and cheese sandwhiches on a biscuit.  Man are they delicious.  And lately, if I am out in my car before noon (when they stop selling them), I will find any excuse to drive on through and get me one of those yummy bundles of egg and cheese.

Lately, I’ve been thinkin’…..What will happen to me if I allow this egg white and cheese obsession become a regular part of my diet.  I asked myself, ‘Tacey…Is that sustainable?  Will these sandwhiches support me in the long term? ”  Ya, I know the answer to that one (sad as it may be).

Today-after yoga, I resisted the urge to pull on into my Timmies and order my regular breakfast sandwhich……

Instead, I drove all the way home and pulled out my blender and made an incredibly healthy protein shake, complete with spinach and chia seed.  When I ask myself the same question, “Tacey….is this protein shake sustainable?  Will it support me in the long run?  Will it help me, and all that’s in my life, endure???” Again, I think we can all agree on that answer too.

You see, sometimes we just have to ask the tough questions….I know I like to ‘ignore’ alot of what goes into my body…as if I don’t acknowledge it, it’s like I never ate it in the first place.  Well guess what?  Your ass knows.  And so does your heart, and your liver, and your kidneys.

Take a minute and ask yourself if the way you are currently living your life (diet, exercise levels, financial health, sleep levels, family time, etc.), is it sustainable?

I feel like I had a bit of a wake up call and I simply wanted to share with y’all in case these words resonate with you too.

Here’s to fewer egg white and cheese sammies (or donuts, chips, etc.), and more healthy spinach and chia seed smoothies (which is actually quite yummy by the way).

Have a glorious day….

I’ve missed connecting with you guys….I have been working very, very, very hard on my exciting new venture…..but like I said in this post…I realize that this level of effort, and stress, etc. is not sustainable; however, I am working towards a space that will, in fact, bring me total peace and joy…..And I should have firm news by the end of this week!  xoxox

Yes, while along the way I have felt all sorts of emotions….joy, frustration, humility, disappointment, and loads of nervous anxiety…Honestly though, looking back over the past 3 years, I don’t ever remember feeling scared.

Until now.

(I’m imagining my yoga teacher saying to me: Let it out!! Aahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.  One more time!!! Aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.)

Yes.  Right about now I’m feeling fear.  Big time.

Why?

Heck! It’s pretty scarey to dream big.  It’s scarey to think about the risks associated with assuming overhead and taking a huge business leap.  Don’t get me wrong….I am totally one hundred percent opening The Pretty Room….and it will be ah-mazing…but all the ‘stuff’ that goes into launching this venture is not easy….it’s not fun (well, some parts sure are…hello dress shopping!!!).

Yes, the rollercoaster associated with the launch of any business is frusterating beyond measure and scarey as all hell. (pardon my french).

I had a moment this past weekend where I felt very discouraged and my zest and energy was pretty much sapped.  ‘I feel like I’m spinning my wheels.  Working sooo hard but getting nowhere….Ughhhhhh. This sucks. Why do I bother?’

Yes, I was having my own little pitty party…..but heck, I was tired and frusterated and disappointed in a few things related to The Pretty Room.

Then, I received this email. (edited only to maintain the writer’s privacy):

Hi Tacey, I am a friend of ‘so and so’ and am loving your work!  I was just reading your blog and felt compelled to contact you. I am a 54 year old woman who has had AS since my early 20′s.  Just reading some of what you’ve written about and your determination has inspired me to take better care of myself. I quit smoking about 1 1/2 years ago and have gained a pile of weight. Once I get this weight off, I would love to have a photo session with you in The Pretty Room to celebrate the new me!  Really hoping to see you soon, you are such an inspiration, thank you for sharing!  xo

It totally dawned on me in that moment.  The Pretty Room isn’t about me….at all.  It’s about all the women that will one day have their exerience in The Pretty Room.  Restore confidence, refresh femininity, build upon self esteem;  The Pretty Room will benefit so many women for sooooo many different reasons….Many of the woman who are currently booked for an introductory session in The Pretty Room are treating their session as a personal reward for various personal accomplishments….I have a lady booked for the end of April whose husband purchased her TRP Session as a way to celebrate the birth of their second child and her 40th birthday.  What a fabulous reason to celebrate, to pamper yourself, feel beautiful and ultimately memorialize this moment in your life with a beautiful, feminine portrait session.  What an incredible gift, to give yourself, or another deserving woman.

So yes…..I am terrified by a lot of this process, but I know the true value of what I will be bringing to the women of the Okanagan….and as one of my mentors says, ‘Never build a business from a place of fear.’

No fear based thinking! No fear based thinking! No fear based thinking! And as my Mamma reminded me last night…..breathe.  I need to remember to inhale deeply, let it out…and simply breathe (and yes, that’s breathe, with an ‘e’ for all my spell checkers out there)

Well, I feel a bit better now that I’ve completely vented….Thank you all for your tremendous support and enthusiasm for The Pretty Room and allowing me a safe place to share this crazy adventure I’m on.  I’m working hard to bring you the most incredible place; and in fact, I’m viewing a possible home today.  Wish me luck!

Yes, inside a small, windowless office in an Okanagan Police Station, just above the door frame, is the sticker-stenciled word:

BELIEVE

As a young woman; in fact, I was 31,  nearly 6 years ago exactly, I walked on to my first day of my dream job….I was the first Crime Analyst in the Interior and because Crime Analyst’s were an entirely new role and conecpt within modern day policing, it came with an incredibly vague job description, and the rest was up to me to figure out.

Yikes. Talk about pressure, talk about fear, talk about nerves.

But I stood in the darkness of the office (I hate fluorescent lights) and I took a deep breathe and looked back at where I’d come from, how bloody hard I worked to be where I was on that day…I exhaled deeply, climbed a ladder,  and plastered that stickered stencil above my door frame, as a reminder of just what can be accomplished, when you truly believe.  I stood back,  looked above my door with little smirk on my face, gave myself a little pat on the proverbial back and I began my new career….

It was that word, that mentality, that philosophy, that mantra, that carried me through my journey to being the first in this new, unknown police position (that carried high hopes and huge expectations from senior management and city council).

BELIEVE.  Just believe.  To me, that’s faith….in that one word.  Believe.  Believe in yourself.  Believe in your abilities. Believe in your ability to succeed.  Believe in your beauty.  Believe in your worth.

Ladies, friends…today is International Women’s Day, and in honour of the power inside each and every one of us, I want us all (yes, this includes me too!) to take a deeeeeep breath. somewhere quiet. take another deeeeeep breath. Let is all out.  Then think back…think back over your life and envision your single greatest accomplishment.  The thing that you are most proud of…..Wow.  Remember how amazing and powerful you felt when you reached that goal and/or accomplishment.  What’s next for you???  You have no limits…..

That is the feeling you need associate to the mantra BELIEVE.  That’s what you need to feel when you tell yourself you can do something……You are powerful, you have already shown what you can accomplish when you work at something….You’ve persevered in the past…there is nothing you cannot do.

Use this strength, this knowledge, this belief in yourself and run with it……Today is International Women’s Day…Feel your strength. OWN it. Believe in the glorious power that lies within each and every single one of us.

Happy International Women’s Day!!!!!

xoxoxo

This is me and my daughter on my University Convocation.  This photo represents one of my proudest accomplishments…..I was a high school drop out that somehow managed to graduate on the President’s List of Simon Fraser University with a 4.0 GPA.  There is no way in hell I could have done that if I didn’t believe…..

Everything that has happened in my life, and I mean evvvvverythannnnnng, has brought me to this very moment….Yes, my nasty medical procedure last week helped me appreciate the lovely, delicate Honey Crueller I just wooofed down (that’s what happens when you can’t eat for 3 days!).  Today, the donut tasted sweeter and I appreciated it even more.

Having struggled financially as a youngster only served to fuel my ambition and determination in pursuing everything I that I do, including my belief in learning from the best….Which in turn justified my investment in a very exclusive, rather expensive, Jinky Art workshop…where I met loads of beautiful ladies, including Tanya Harrison, of Vancouver based Veridamo Photography.  Recently,  I was pleasantly surprised when I received a referral from Tanya to photograph a lovely ‘family-to’be’ up at the beautiful ski village of Big White.

When I drove up to Big White and finally met with Connie, Drew and the lovely Ms. T for their Engagement/Family session, I felt immediately at ease with them all….Connie, you are honestly one of the most radiant Momma’s I have ever been around.  The love and bond between you and your daughter brings tears to my eyes……

It really is true, that everything happens for a reason; and the moment you recognize the beauty and magic of the reason, and the blessing of your journey,  it’s unbelievably powerful and provides faith for whatever may lie ahead.

Connie, Drew and Ms. T…Cheers to the blessing of your journey and the amazing future that is before you….I will be thinking of you on your special day.

Here’s a little peek of our beautiful session together…And boy oh boy, was it ever bright!!!

M.O.’s meaning Modus Operandi (from my police analyst days) to O.M., meaning Operating Manual, in my current endeavour.

How amazing life is, with it’s sense of humour and random twists and turns….

So back to my O.M. and why it’s so gosh-darn important to write one.

As y’all know, I’m a shaker and a mover….a girl that will makes things happen, or die trying.  The direction I am moving with The Pretty Room has brought out the best in my drive….I’m ‘full on’,  you could say.

With all this p&v, I vowed to read more about business strategies and development.  Sure, I’ve received a significant amount of business training, my formal education was in Criminology and Psychology, not business.

One book I’ve heard about over and over is The E-Myth, by Michael Gerber.  I just finished this brilliant gem of a book and man, I feel as if I’ve been given the single greatest piece of advice, thankfully I chose to read this one before I officially open my new business.

The single biggest message in Gerber’s book is to ‘Stop working IN your business, and start working ON your business’.

Hmmm.  I admit, when he writes that ‘if you don’t get this, you may as well not bother with the rest of the book’ (or something along those lines) I thought, ‘Crap. I don’t get it.  What’s the difference between working IN and working ON your business’.

But, I puttered through and gave this book the true attention it needed (not like the 3rd book in the Hunger Games which went on waaaay too long, imo) and I eventually ‘got it’.  You have to work at your business-as a separate product….Work on the business of your business.

Pretty great lesson……so today, I’m working on my O.M. and dammit-a trip to The Pretty Room looks pretty amazing when seeing it all one paper, all laid out in full detail.  For me this is the ultimate creative expression….creating every little detail and concept and that’s before I even bring out my camera.

It’s amazing how exhilarating (and equally terrifying) it is moving forward and taking full control of something that was once just a thought.

I’m having a stinking blast and cannot wait for next week’s visit.  The dress collection is exanding at a rapidly (gogeous) rate and my creativity is on fire.

It may be a toss up as to what’s been the hardest part so far….all the champagne or all the shopping.  Tough one, huh? 

Have a fabulous day!  I hope to see YOU in The Pretty Room.

Turns out it was car grease.  My friend, we’ll call her Ms. Curly, had just finished changing the light bulb in her car’s headlight…which she did after adding insulation to her hottub (to quiet the noise of the motor for her neighbours).

Heck-not only do I not know how to take off my headlamp to change the light bulb; when it comes to my hot tub, I know nothing more than how to cozy in with a glass of wine and put the cover back on when I’m through, much less have the know-how to insulate the whole darn thing!!!!

It just goes to show that she is one cool chick.  And like most of us, she proves that we are in fact capable of so much more than many others (or perhaps ourselves) would ever believe.

Today we women play so many roles….wear so many hats…do so many things…for so many people.  Our husbands, our children, our parents, our careers, our homes….The one thing that most always gets the least amount of attention is OURSELVES.

Ladies.  We share soooo many things with men now-a-days.  Roles, responsibilities, financial obligations….But, there is one thing we will always have that they will never, ever be privileged to be, nor understand….and that, my friends, is the sheer blessing of simply being a girl.

To be feminine. To twirl. To wear lipstick, and blush.  To curl eyelashes (with love). To have hips, and curves, and soft collar bones and long hair….To have an up-do or hot rollers. To change our minds (and dress choice) ten times.  To be graceful, yet powerful. To be stunning.  To be elegant.  To be fierce.

Yes ladies.  We were born with the gift of being a girl.

Don’t let it go to waste….Own your femininity…be proud of it.  Who says we need a reason to get all dolled up?  When we see that perfectly incredible, ultra feminine dress, we excuse ourselves with “I’ll never have anywhere to wear it.”

I say, Who needs a place, or an excuse, or a reason to buy the prettiest dress you’ve ever laid eyes on????

Looking in the mirror and feeling the prettiest you’ve ever felt in your lifetime is reason enough to buy that dress…..and if you still can’t justify it….then buy it and wear it in a Pretty Room Session.

Seriously, what I find is to be the most endearing, exciting elements of The Pretty Room is that that being Pretty, and being a Woman, and being Girlie, for nobody but you….requires no reason….no occasion….no invite…no party….only a desire to feel girlie, and pretty…because you can…because you, you lucky one….YOU……are a girl.

Ms. Curly, you totally get what it means to be a girl…like I said earlier…you are one cool chick.

Thank you for sharing your beauty with me and showing others that it is not only perfectly okay to let your light shine, but it’s a lot of fun too!

The Pretty Room is evolving at an exciting pace!  I’m excited to meet so many wonderful women and hear some incredible stories….and have I mentioned how much I love shopping for the wardrobe????  :) Even though TPR hasn’t ‘officially opened’ it’s doors, I am still booking for March and April at the introductory pricing (although April is nearly booked solid).  If you have any questions, please drop me a line, I would love to tell you all about The Pretty Room experience.

One thing I’ve always tried to be in this blog, is honest, open, and hopefully to some, inspiring.  I’ve been a life long advocate for and student of personal growth and perserverance.  Always pushing forward…..always reaching.

This is not to say it’s always easy.  Believe me, I’ve had many days where I wonder what the heck I’m doing????  I have a University Degree.  I had a successful, stable career????  Is this right for me???? Oh yes, many a day like that.

My son is turning 5 this April.  FIVE.  In September he will begin full time Kindergarten.  And for those of you who know my story, you all know my life changed  drastically shortly after his birth….So basically, I’ve been on this new path for as long as my son has been alive.

Has this all been worth it?  All the time I’ve spent focused on devouring everything there is to know about this industry, about my camera, about shooting, about editing, about marketing, about networking, about websites, about blogs, about lighting….and so on and so forth.  Has all this time, effort, money and sacrifice been worth it?

Well, deep down in my gut, in the pit of my stomach, I’ve pretty much felt this way all along………

HECK YA.

There have been many a time over the past 3+ years where my spirit has soared….births, weddings, families, and now The Pretty Room Sessions….and I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that all the efforts I have put into my business so far will most definitely serve me and my family well into the future….and man, that feels great…it feels freeing.  I feel free…

I just finished reading The E Myth Revisted, by Michael Gerber.  In this fabulous and totally enlightening book, Gerber talks about freedom in the entrepreneurial path.  One of my favorite, goose-bumpy moments in the book is reading the quote,  ‘Freedom is not just the matter of saying ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to a specific decision: it is the power to mold and create ourselves.  Freedom is the capacity to become what we truly are.’  (Rollo May, Man’s Search for Himself, p. 165).

I love that…..Freedom is the power to mold and create ourselves, becoming who and what we truly are….I couldn’t think of a better way to describe my journey.

As for becoming who I truly am…is it a photographer?  Is it an entrepreneur?  I don’t know…but I believe I am truly a cheerleader for people, especially women.  I love bringing out the best in people and helping them see their potential….which is why I feel I’ve found the perfect fit for me in The Pretty Room.  It’s the perfect culmination of my desire to empower women and make them feel fabulous about themselves, and my desire to take create, and be successful with, my camera.

I told you, it pretty much makes me laugh out lough when I realize that this where my journey has led me….so far from where I planned.

Did I mention I get to shop for pretty dresses too??????

Oh, yes, now that feels pretty darn right to me. 

In case you’re wondering where I purchased this stunning coral peach chiffon, authentic 1950′s Glamorous dress, I’ll have you know it was recently purchased from Frock Clothing, right here in Kelowna! And the blue stunner, well, I just whipped that one up this morning…One of my own personal creations…Yes, me, a dress maker!  Who would’ve thought!)

For those of you just hearing about the Pretty Room, click here to see where it all began…It’s really been quite remarkable so far.  Bookings come in every single day (yay!) so if you want to take advantage of the introductory pricing that is in place over March and April, drop me an email and we’ll see if we can’t find you a spot!