All I Want For Christmas - The Most Amazing Christmas Scent + Giveaway Posted by Unknown | Sunday, November 25

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone most of us quickly jump right into the spirit of Christmas with Black Friday shopping and family traditions of heading up to the tree farm to find that perfect tree with the fullest branches and shape and that cherished "scent" of pine that embodies Christmas itself. Over the years,  I have switched between a real and fake tree depending on what season of life we happened to be in. But regardless, Christmas is not Christmas without the smell of pine wafting throughout our home so with every breath you are reminded of the holidays! Finding the right candle to burn can be tricky, as some are too strong, and some leave you with a headache and others don't even smell like pine but more of cleaning solution, a fake! 

Well I am happy to report I have found it! The best most addicting smell of pine and Christmas.  So real, you won't even need a tree (but of course you will want one)! Last year I popped into one of my favorite little boutiques, Porch and smelled something so fantastic, I had to have it! It was Thymes  Frasier Fir Candle

 I cannot explain how perfect this combination is other than to give you a chance to smell it for yourself! Remember  Porch, that adorable boutique, with unique jewelry, home decor, Christmas decor, boutique clothing and lots of other little gifts for baby and everyone you have on your stocking stuffer list! Well, they have graciously offered one lucky winner a Frasier Fir Candle wrapped up in their beautiful gift wrap. Side note, I am a sucker for pretty packaging which is another reason I love buying gifts from Porch... I don't have to wrap! 

Entry is simple and fair with Rafflecopter. The winner will be announced Wednesday Dec 5th! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Week Of Thanks Posted by Unknown | Monday, November 19

The week of Thanksgiving always brings focus to the many things, people, and blessings I am thankful for. Having kids is a constant reminder of how one of the many important qualities to teach them is genuine kindness and care for others. Surprisingly, this basic display of character can be missed and neglected, not intentionally but can get stuffed underneath the business of life "our" lives.  We have a choice to be inter-sectors or by-passers. Being available for that 5 min stop in the grocery store when you meet a woman named Julie who just moved from NY and after loosing a set of twin boys and another baby they decided to adopt triplet girls who are now 6 and are being home schooled by their mom who doesn't have many friends yet and really just needed someone to "care" about what she had to say.  Or maybe something as simple as seeing an elderly person struggling to get through a door and instead of rushing past, stopping and offering a helping hand.  Believe it or not, I have learned a simple smile can truly change how someone feels.  During this season, Nate and I try to be intentional about how we will model thanks and giving in our home and with our family. It's no secret that kids don't need any help being selfish, let's face it either do we sometimes, but what they do need is a life modeled not taught of serving and loving others maybe with a bit of sacrifice. 

As I began looking into organizations we could partner with I was instantly glued into the heartache and suffering of so many and yet the beauty and hope these many non-profits and volunteers have dedicated their lives providing. As I have been crying for the last hour just thinking about the families we personally know that have either dedicated their life to a mission like Christina Bacino, who is a mouthpiece and spearhead for Not For Sale to end human trafficking or our friends Dean and Tasha Ives who have started their own foundation Love You More after loosing their daughter Sydney, which is designed to help families in the fight for the life of their ill child. In the past 6 months there have been many families we know that have lost their babies. I cannot even fathom what that would be like and my heart just aches thinking of leaving the hospital without my babies. This organization Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep provides beautiful photography, a keepsake,  for the parents and family leaving a beautifully captured memory of their sweet angel. 

There are thousands of organizations bringing hope and healing to our country. Like The Red Cross  who is providing disaster relief and care to the many communities effected by Sandy. Or Project Angel Tree which provides toys and essentials to children over the holiday season. The Ronald McDonald House  providing shelter and allowing families to be together and Light House Family Retreat  serving children with cancer at a seaside retreat.  I literally could go on for days.  There is just so much need in our country but there are so many of us that can help.  Can you believe that 1 in 6 children goes hungry in a given day in our community, that is astounding, but we can help to change that by filling our local food pantries with projects like Bag Hunger  and Love Works.  What foundations are you connected with or have a special place in your heart?  Where is your family giving this year, or any traditions you have created with your kids to get involved helping others?

Happy Thanksgiving! 

All I want for Christmas: Chocolate + Giveaway Posted by Unknown | Wednesday, November 14

What holiday is not complete without Chocolate... and loads of it!  You can expect to get at least one box of chocolates from a client or friend, and since I am kind of a chocolate snob, I stumbled upon the absolute best chocolate I have ever had the pleasure of tasting... and lets face it I have tasted more than I am comfortable mentioning. 

My husband and I were on a date and popped into Artale for some wine and I noticed a little mini temperature controlled box with a tantalizing photo on it like this one

Of course, trying one of these treats was an absolute must and disappoint it did not. Living up to the mouth watering photos, this treat was like no other. As I researched a bit I found that these chocolates are actually made right in my home town of Rockford, IL and cacaocuvee was chosen as one of  Oprah's Favorite Things for 2012. Besides the fact they use 100% natural and organic ingredients, their flavor combinations like apple cider and sake are just a sampling of their brilliance. 

My purchase was something called a galapagos and I though I will just have a bite and leave it in the car while we eat dinner.  After tasting this utterly divine goodness, I could not get it out of my head and literally sent my husband back out to the car to retrieve my new found addiction. It was the combination of unique nuts and a homemade carmel so different than anything I had ever experienced. Topped with  dark chocolate and introducing bliss!

So if your not ready to try cacaocuvee yet there is one more incentive... Oprah sent her team on a mission,

 "I challenged O's creative director, Adam Glassman, to find me a bite-size, 100-calorie 

piece of dark chocolate made with 67 percent cocoa, and he did it, with 10 calories to spare! It's a gift for every day of the week." 

This is what they found

cacaocuvee invented the ultimate superfood, a 7 day supply of  antioxidant filled chocolate bites with only 89 calories, preservative and gluten free and just enough sweet to curb your sugar cravings and strengthen your cardiovascular system. You can order a 30 day supply with a special "O" discount or order some of their other delectables as gifts this year. 

So now your mouth is probably watering... as is mine and luckily for us Susan Pitkin of CacaoCuvee' has offered a sampling of their chocolates to a lucky winner! Enter below with Rafflecopter by liking CacaoCuvee's facebook page and joining the fun here on "Style Story." For extra entries you can tweet the below text as well as post a comment telling us which chocolates you would like to try! 

*this contest is only for residence in the United States or Canada 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DIY Wristband Tutorial Posted by Unknown | Monday, November 12

What you will need:

>A cool fabric with a bit of stretch to it ( mine is from my "yia yia's" vintage collection
>Scissors, thread, needle, backings and vintage buttons or embellishments

Cut a strip about a half inch longer than the size around your wrist

Cut 4 squares each smaller than the last

 You will have one long strip of fabric and 4 squares

Turn the fabric to the back side and pinch across the top lining up the ends and sew tightly across

 You should then have a wristband like this one

Stack your squares largest to smallest

Pinch down in the center and sew up and down shaping a bit to bring form

You should then have something like this

 Hot glue or sew your backings on

Add vintage buttons or other embellishments like tool or lace

You will then have this beauty! But not just this because the flower is convertible and can then be placed on a scarf, headband, blazer coat or your fantastic new wristband

Be creative with your designs

Holiday DIY Fun Posted by Unknown |

The holidays are upon us and in the world of pinterest and DIY everything, I thought I would give you a few fun "Holiday DIY" projects to try. 

I love these adorable ornament chandi's! I am going to do this with ribbon in my dinning room this Christmas. You can see the tutorial on Real Simple.

Look how cool this project is with some simple yarn and clips! Wrapping yarn around a door in your house and clipping all your Christmas Cards to it... so creative, and when you get lots of cards like we do, I would love to display them all. The Wicker House has this tutorial for you all. 

Now this tree is a must.... and simple, putting long sticks in a pretty container, hole punching your cards and tying ribbon around the branch. 

And finally, what holiday would complete without metallic animals, and these from heodeza are just adorable. I love the idea of playing with pattern and small details. 

Holiday DIY Header by ahndeamay on Polyvore

Steal Alert: Half Off Old Navy Outerwear Entire Family Posted by Unknown | Sunday, November 11

Check out this deal.... it's that time of year and if your like me you have lots of coats to buy and when it can be easily $100 a piece this Old Navy sale is fantastic!  Coats for $20 - $40, Perfect! Here are some of my picks.  Loving that yellow peacoat with the bright colored scarf. 

Steal Alert: Half Off Old Navy Outerwear Entire Family by ahndeamay featuring a hooded toggle coat

Old navy coat
oldnavy.gap.com

Old navy coat
oldnavy.gap.com

Old navy coat
oldnavy.gap.com

Old navy jacket
oldnavy.gap.com

Old navy jacket
oldnavy.gap.com

Old navy jacket
oldnavy.gap.com

Old Navy hooded toggle coat

oldnavy.gap.com

The Perfect Family Christmas Card Posted by Unknown | Tuesday, November 6

Photo Credit: Jeff Anderson

1. Photography: 

With Christmas right around the corner, one of my most favorite things to do is style families for their "holiday" cards or those most important "family pictures." You know the ones, that you spend hours figuring out where to take them, the theme, what to wear, how to possibly coordinate getting everyone ready with the expectation that you (mom) have to look fantastic as well.  The dreaded day... is like preparing for the prom.  With 5 girls in my home, showering, drying and curling hair, putting on all the layers of tights and boots and keeping everyone from getting dirty before the shoot is like the a huge production, which by the end of, I am usually pouring sweat and hoping to just get one good picture out of it.  

Usually we "invest" in this experience and we should... the best way to capture your family as it grows is documenting with photography and when you get that "one" great shot, it all becomes worth it. Finding a good photographer is the first step and if your in the Chicago area, I really enjoy working with Jeff Anderson .  Once you get that nailed down next on the list... "what to wear." We rush around buying new clothes, hair bows, shoes, jackets, the perfect shirt for dad oh and what about us, we can't wear the same sweater that we did in last years picture... right?  

2. Styling 

I started styling for photography when friend and photographer Jeff Anderson asked if I could help with a senior portrait he was shooting. He knew I had a sense of style and could do her hair and make-up so it just made sense. I think we were both kind of shocked at how well it turned out and the value of collaboration. So for the last few years, we have partnered up on dozens of projects from, commercial look books to modeling portfolios, to family and senior portraits. Here is what Jeff wrote about our partnership:

"As a photographer, one thing I have found very beneficial to my photo shoots is the ability and value of working with other creative people. Most people don’t realize that getting great pictures isn’t just about nice camera equipment and rock star photographers (which I’m not quite there yet but perhaps someday will) but it’s a collaborative effort with everyone involved. I have never given enough credit to those that have really helped me make my photography good. My job as a photographer wouldn’t be nearly as easy if I didn’t have these people working with me on my shoots.

One person in particular that I would like to thank is Ahndea May with @AhndeaMayStyling. Styling wardrobes for senior and family portraits has made a world of difference in my photography and with the overall outcome of the portrait. I would highly recommend that you would consider using Ahndea to put together a look for your portraits which can also include her line of vintage accessories she designs and creates. If you’re a photographer in the area and you want your work to stand out, I also suggest that you work with Ahndea. Be sure to visit her page and check out some of the things she is working on. If nothing else, check out the fashion trends that she stays up to date with and shares with us on her page."

"Family Style Board" 

When using a stylist, this is an example of what you receive and the value of it. I have been styling clients via, skype, email, text and in person. The goal, is to use what you currently have in your closet, help you determine if your missing anything, take the guess work and stress out of your experience and in the end produce a fantastic photo with color and the right amount of pattern and texture. Your not boring.... so don't express yourself as boring with an "all black" or "all denim" photo. In the end, you will save money and time and it's worth it. Contact me for details. 

Family Picture Style Board by ahndeamay featuring silk shawls

3. Christmas Cards 

Finally, after you capture that perfect photo, it is then time to select your Christmas Card, which can also be a very stressful thing.  Let me help you with that, simply upload and order a fantastical card like this, taken by James&Kate, styled by Ahndea May (me) and designed by Lindsay Letters.  Order this or several other "Gilded Greeting" options at her new shop. Shop Now