I have been secretly following this blog for over a year now, waiting patiently to share with my Trendy Tuesday readers the website information once the on-line store was open. Today, I am happy to announce the launch of Jessica Haley’s store called Joyfolie. Joyfolie, pronounced like the common word “joyfully,” is a play on words as “folie” is the French word for madness. The owner thought it was fitting, as children are a joyful madness! Which is how we all feel sometimes in our photo sessions, the intense moments of crazy joyfulness and unquenchable frenzy in capturing the perfect photo!

This store is amazing collection of “pretty little things” for woman and girls. Joyfolie items are all feminine, but not frilly…detailed but not busy and modern with a vintage influence. You will love this site because you can find “soft and stylish ballet flats with ORGANIC cotton lining. Sweet and simple little jackets with just the right amount of ruffle. Woman’s textile necklaces hand crafted from VINTAGE materials. Fresh and floral accessories worn by mother and daughter alike. Beautifully packaged, wonderfully detailed, and sometimes even items that are ONE OF A KIND.” You will love everything and every item will be perfect for your next Lifexpressions session. I love the idea of pairing flower broaches or headbands with everything for both woman and children. Every item is simply timeless just like you want your photos to be.

Check out some of the delicate and beautiful items I have chosen from Joyfolie.com to wear in your next session. Please keep checking back to the Joyfolie website as new items are being added daily. Even read her blog at joyfolieblog.com for secret $2 giveaways.

I can’t wait to see all my young models in their Joyfolie clothing and accessories!

While daydreaming about how hot the sun is in Florida I immediately began thinking about bold and bright fashion for your next session. Inspiring me only to start a crazy web search. To my delight I found these adorable and hip outfits for girls on the Chasing Fireflies website. How amazing will your very young to tween age girls look in these hip and trendy tank and pant sets. Your girls will be super comfortable, able to smile big and have a blast with me during the session in these outfits. Don’t leave out brother. Make sure the boys in the family feel just as relaxed in his Jcrew hot pink polo and relaxed chino shorts. Let his hair grow a little longer and have him rock his “inner” surfer boy by adding to the outfit braided bracelet. You will be so surprised at how your kids will really pop against the white sand and blue waters in these bright colored clothes.

I then couldn’t resist pairing the kid outfits with a few more bright selections for mom and dad to make the perfect family ensemble. Nordstrom has amazing solid colored outfits that work best with the trendy selections for the kids. The amazing shirt dress from Eliza J will be flattering on any figure. Wear it simple with flip flops, natural hair and maybe a simple gold hoop earring. Dad should be simple but hip as well, with a solid polo paired with dark jeans or relaxed chinos.

Join me in the beach in your hot colors for a cool session.

Here are some of my favorite items that have saved many a session in the past. First is for you ladies a little inexpensive item I found at Target. We are in Florida so there are lots of opportunities to wear sleeveless tops, but sometimes our bra straps just don’t corporate with the cut of our outfit. So I have found these great strap holders that keep your straps hidden. It is seriously just a little plastic clip that can hide your straps.

Another item that could come in handy during a shoot is called, Fashion Tape. It is an easy-to-use, clear double-stick, “do everything” apparel and body tape! The clear tape doesn’t cover up the skin’s natural color and is more discreet and fabric-friendly than safety pins. And it’s as easy as peel, stick and go (much easier then carrying around a travel sewing kit)! I love fashion tape for a stepped on hem during the session or a shirt that won’t stay in place. You can find fashion tape at target too!

Other items to remember to throw in your bag, especially for the kids are wipes or Kleenex . Noses only run when you are trying to take a photo! Also bring along a beach towel to dry feet or rocks for sitting! A hairbrush for those outfit changes that require a re-comb is a MUST! Don’t forget extra hair products (gel, clips, pony tail hangers) if you need them.

Lastly, the nourishment! The smile bribing treats. If you choose to bring a treat – make sure it is a neat treat for you child, you don’t want chocolate on that pretty white dress. Something that can not melt is the best idea. Bring water for your family, all that smiling may make them thirsty.

Fashion emergencies do happen but these few items will help you get through your session with a little more ease. And maybe because you are prepared it is likely you won’t even need your “emergency kit” after all.

Can’t wait for our session to begin!

Dresses come in every solid color (to coordinate with other family members) and can do everything from cover arms, shoulders, backs or show off great arms, shoulders and backs! You can even lengthen and shorten the dress without changing how stylish you look and no doubt feel. Coming in April Mountain Island Designs will even feature a convertible pantsuit/jumpsuit which are all the rage this coming season. Before you buy watch the videos on You Tube of how to wear these dresses, it is so fascinating. Seriously, you won’t be able to stop watching these You Tube videos. The videos are amazing and you will be shocked at what you can do with this dress. So go to Mountain Island Designs check out these amazing ELAN convertible dresses and add the promo code TRENDY10 for 10% off your purchase! I can’t wait to see all my fashionista moms sporting all the different looks this Spring and Summer for their photo sessions. Bottom Line: You WILL look and feel fabulous for your shoot.

Photos courtesy of ELAN and Mountain Island DesignsStyle ELAN SL5000 can be converted 10 styles available in red, black, purple, blue, turquoise and gray. Poly blend jersey dress.Style ELAN RL407 can be converted 8 styles available in turquoise, black and pink. Rayon jersey blend dress.

Here are some adorable outfits from head to toe that Gymboree recommends for Spring. All the pieces work perfectly and effortlessly together. Every size range from newborn to 12 years of age has an outfit that coordinates with the same or opposite sex, as busy moms I know you can’t be more excited! Gymboree even did all the work and coordinated accessories and shoes too!

Just as simple make one more virtual stop at Jcrew.com. Pick up an outfit for mom and dad in the same colors as your Gymboree outfits and you are done shopping! I added in some easy shoe selections from Jcrew ! Enjoy some easy virtually shopping as the weather starts warming up again outside! Happy web surfing.

Just in time for the warm weather (that I know will be here soon) Lilly Pulitzer has a great selection of Spring and Summer clothes for mom and child (even for boys)! The beautiful vibrant colored clothes will make your beach or secret garden session look magnificent.

Lilly Pulitzer is so perfect for a Florida session. Classic and timeless beach wear for every family member work perfectly for a photo. Be creative, mix the patterns, all the colors are coordinating so it really works!

Enjoy your selections there are so many on lillypulitzer.com and garnetthill.com, you really can’t go wrong. Remember to wear what fits and you feel comfortable in. I love the tunic dress, but make sure you like how you or the children look sitting in it. There are many other full skirts or maxi dresses for mom that are also designed in the fabrics you love. Even the solid wrap over a white shirt and pants can be stunning for mom with your little ones in Lilly pattern shift dress. I can’t wait to have my first session in some of these adorable outfits.

P.S. if Dad wants in on the photos – Lilly even makes coordinating fabric items for Dad! Check out all the great ties…..oh an idea for my Trendy Tuesday Father’s Day addition is forming in my mind! *grin*

Matilda Jane clothing showcases the sweetness of any child. These clothes are also so powerful in a photo. All the designs are simple silhouettes because its not about the clothes it is about the darling girl wearing them. This season even brother, mom and dad can become a part of the Matilda Jane addiction for a perfectly coordinated photo.

For your next lifeXpressions session try some of these adorable styles that have been featured on the Matildajaneclothing.com website. The mix of fabrics, patterns and styles will make each picture unique. The colors all coordinate so your families clothing choices will work together without competing. These simple clothing selections will make a portrait look like you spent hours shopping for just the perfect combination.

All Matilda Jane clothes are sold through a trunk keeper, so if you don’t have one of your own email Nia at niac@matildajaneclothing.com between now and March 14th to get the details. Don’t forget to mention you heard about it on lifeXpressions’ Trendy Tuesday post. Don’t delay, you know how quickly the most popular styles sell out! And your Spring session is right around the corner too.

Today’s Trendy Tuesday clothes are designed by celebrity Ali Landry, a true southern bell bringing you pretty and traditional Southern clothing. Check out the adorable outfits on these girls. Perfect for any Easter or Spring photos. I just love the girl licking the cake, her dress and the cake look so delicious. I can even see a brother join the photo in a seersucker suit from Crew Cuts from Jcrew, how adorable.

Belle Parish is new to the market this Spring so keep checking belleparish.com for a retailer near you.

Crazy8 has a perfect pairing for a family of girls…

Martin & Osa is featuring Nautical styles for Mom & DadClassic sail away outfits from White Grey OrganicsLuna Luna Cruise line at Little Posh Princess for your big girl and Miniboden of Joules clothing for your boys

Happy shopping!

I had discovered Wonderboy Clothing a few years ago because many of my handsome young clients were wearing these fabulous modern, hip and wearable tops and bottoms. So now I am excited to turn you all on to this “stunning” girl clothing line from designers of Wonderboy. Your girls will be able to wear as a companion outfit to brother that you both love. Stun features feminine and adorable outfits that are hip without all the frills . What an easy solution to preparing for your next session. All the work has been done for you by Wonderboy designers. You can’t go wrong. How cute and ingenious for your next photo shoot!

Wonderboy and Stun are an easy suggestion for your children that will work in any setting. You will love all the colors of corals, taupes, aquas, reds and purples all infused with some graphic fun designs. Put your son in a shirt that makes one of the colors in your daughter’s dress pop. Or dress your daughter in a solid top with a patterned skirt that matches brothers shirt. It will be easy and “stunning.”

These are just a few photos I could find of the new Spring lines, but keep checking your favorite on line boutiques these outfits will be available for before your Spring session! All the clothes come in sizes two to ten. I can’t wait to see my first models in these clothes!