How to Get the Photoshop Look, Using Your Phone!

I’ve always been the type that loves trying to do something myself first, without paying money for the name brand. 

I even do so with my business. I make my own business cards, my own props, my own sites, everything! Even down to the editing. I may one day switch to photoshop, but as for now I love love love editing with the tools I already have, for free.

So today I’m going to let you in on a little secret. It’s called “Aviary”. It’s in the same category as photoshop, renders your photos as high of quality etc. the only catch is that it’s on your phone! When I have a photography session and I edit photos for clients, I use Aviary. 

Let me show you how great it is.

This was the original image.

And after just a few minutes of editing on Aviary.

The best part? it’s SO easy to use and free. As a small business owner, and tech geek, I do love all the latest and greatest technology, but sometimes it’s best to go with what you know and use what resources you have to not only save money, but get the best quality product you can produce! 

I’m sure I’ll be posting more of these before and afters! Can’t wait to show you. 🙂

miamasonphotography.com

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OldTown Grapevine, Texas Snapshot

Goodmorning Goodmorning! I don’t have a lot to say today other than happy late Mother’s Day, I hope everyone had a great day with their loved ones! 

Yesterday I got the pleasure of strolling down some lovely little streets while doing some Tuesday afternoon shopping. A lot of the stores were closed, which was surprising to me because I thought it was going up…. On a Tuesday… (Sorry that was a bad joke.)

Anyways, as I walked the sidewalks with stroller in hand, I started noticing how beautiful everything was! There were such cute details in the town, and I thought I should capture that.

There is a store that just sells little nicnacs, but when you go in the very back they’ve got a room with all of these Christmas scenes set up and for sale. Of course my favorite is the how the grinch stole Christmas scene. I’ll definitely be going back. They even had an entire Halloween town!

From mini bistros, lovely blooming flowers, to an old fashioned theater! I’m in LOVE! (Side note, Geoffrey and I toured this theater when we were debating wedding venues.)

And last but not least, I had to snap a picture of Jace and I, he was not happy with me.

Even though our trip was cut a little bit short due to the crazy Texas weather-sunny and 80 degrees turned to severe thunderstorms and tornados- we had a great time, and will be back soon!

What your favorite small town, down town?

Xo

What I Learned From The 21 Day No Sugar Challenge

Hey hey hey, as I’m writing this, I have 20 minutes until I am able to eat a cupcake. I did it. After 2 attempts, I finally was able to go 21 days with no dessert.

So let me back track a little bit here. Originally when I started, I wanted to do absolutely no sugar. I quickly realized that that was impossible, as there is sugar in everything. 

My whole point of this was because I work at the most delicious bakery on earth, the flour shop bakery in highland village Texas. If you’re in the area, please come by because you will never be the same after eating all of our delicious-ness…. You can visit the flour shop’s website Here ! Anyways, every day that I work, I am not only buying cookies and cupcakes with money I don’t have to spend on these things, but I am eating excessive amounts of sugar, and am feeling sooo sick and sluggish from the 2 cupcakes and 2 cookies a day… Go figure! I knew I needed to make a change when I ate 2 cupcakes for breakfast.

So as I was saying about there being sugar in everything, I changed my diet a tad to be no dessert. No soda(I don’t drink soda anyways), no candy, no cupcakes, cookies, dessert, or anything that makes me happy….): just kidding but you know what I mean.

How I managed it

By day 3, I didn’t think I was going to make it. But eventually, I forgot about my need for dessert. I replaced my cravings with yogurt and granola, or frozen raw coconut bars.

Differences I noticed

not only do I feel amazing, my skin has cleared up, I am sleeping better, and I feel just all around better about myself. I don’t feel like such a glutton!

What I’ve learned 

It’s okay to have dessert. Give yourself one free pass a week, or month if you’re able to go that long. You deserve it. And one cookie/cupcake a week is not going to kill you… Right away atleast…heehee.

Aftermath:

It is now 12 Am, May 8th 2016. Happy freakin’ Mother’s Day to me. Goodnight, I am going to dive into this amazing cinnamon and pecan with fresh peach filling cupcake with caramel buttercream. Sugar coma here I come. 

The wait was well worth it.

Xo

Update: it’s May 9th, and after eating a cupcake, 2 cookies, an ice cream cone, and a cookie sandwhich last night, I am now going to do another 21 day challenge, or even see if I can go longer! Who’s with me? Leave me a Comment below if you’re willing to try the challenge, too!

1950’s House Wife Mind, With a 2016 Woman’s Work Ethic.

As I woke up extra early today, I couldn’t help but laugh at myself. I woke up, cleaned the house, made coffee, and pulled out my planner to organize the sessions I have to shoot today. 

  
It made me laugh because a typical girl my age would have woken up, possibly made coffee, possibly would have just gone to Starbucks, posted pictures of this Starbucks, and asked their friends what they are doing today, but nope! Not me!

I wake up and make sure the house is clean for when my fiancé wakes up, I make sure coffee is ready for anyone who would like some, I’m too cheap to go buy us all Starbucks, and then I pull out my planner to organize the appointments from the business I have started.

I’m not bragging on myself, I am just having a realization of how proud I am of the person that I’ve become. I have become a mother, a business woman, a budgetter, a crafter, a wife, a cleaner(never saw this one coming honestly), and most importantly I have become ME. 

It just makes me wonder when others will become like me, too. Not ME but you know, when will they find who they are? For some it could be 20 years from now. Or maybe even never. And I’m so glad I have found myself now.

I remember being in highschool, crying over boys, drama etc, and I remember telling myself, “Mia. There’s a reason for this. It may hurt now, you may feel broken and like you’re not going to recover, but one day, maybe not soon but eventually you will feel okay. You will pick yourself up, and you’ll meet an amazing man and have a beautiful life. It won’t be easy, but you’ll make it there one day.” I used to lay on my bedroom floor crying (I was a drama queen I know) and I would repeat that to myself over and over “you’re going to be okay. You’re going to make something wonderful of your life one day.” 

  And here I am. Confident and happy. 

It’s so amazing to be able to get to a point where I can stop and reflect on who I’ve become, the good and the bad. I’m happy that I’ve turned into someone who can have dinner made, the house cleaned and be waiting for my (almost) husband to be here, all while managing my own income, paying bills, and still being here 90% of the time for my son. 

I’m just having a “go me” day. That’s all.

Xo

3 DIY Mother’s Day Gift Ideas!

It’s currently 12 am as I’m writing this, and I can’t sleep! So I thought, what better way to use this time than to post something I’ve been researching just for you! 

I’ve seen a lot of affiliated posts, people advertising for certain products of what you should buy your mom for Mother’s Day. If your mom is anything like my mom, she won’t want a planner, or makeup contour kit, or a Gilmore girl coffee mug. This generation thinks if you’re using the same products as everybody else then you must be cool. 

So I thought I could search the web, find some interesting bloggers and promote their DIY tutorials. Not only will you save money, but it will give bloggers a chance to expand their ideas- without having to pay me for it. 

(All of the following images & tutorials belong to their rightful owners. I am simply giving you a way to get to their tutorial!)

1. DIY Crystal Jewelry

  

I adore this, and this is definitely something I’m going to try. This similar necklace goes for much more when purchased at a store like anthropology, etc. You can make your mom one too, Here .

2. DIY Magnetic Chalkboard

  

We live in a time where organization is everything… This cute shabby chic board would be perfect for to do lists, grocery lists, or even decoration. Find out how to make this for your mom Here .

3. DIY Succulent Pots

  

I’m doing this probably tomorrow. Love this idea. If your mom’s got a green thumb this would be the perfect gift for her! Find out how Here .
I hope this gave you some inspiration for the Mother’s Day that is right around the corner… Good luck! Happy DIY-ing!

I Went To A Pinterest-Worthy Wedding

wow guys, I’m still in shock as to how beautiful the wedding was that I attended last night. It’s a long story as to how I’m related to the bride, but I love her dearly and have been excited for this wedding for quite some time! 

As for my 31 day challenge, I’m going to incorporate this wedding into it.

Day three, what makes me happy:

Of course my family, my son, coffee, driving with the windows down and the music loud, going for walks on new trails, puppies, Gilmore girls, photography, friends, laughter, love, dresses, comfy pajama movie nights, and cookies. 

Aside from these things, last night made me happy! Everything about it. Weddings make me so happy!

There’s just something special about weddings. It’s like you’re in this moment that is so important in your loved ones lives and it’s so special that they went out of their way to invite you to be apart of one of the most significant days of their life. 

It’s so interesting to see how different people have different taste in wedding venues, and I haven’t been to many weddings but I can say hands down this wedding looked like something that would be featured in a magazine. It was immaculate, and the best part about it is that I know for a fact the bride and groom spent so much time carefully doing this whole wedding. You could really tell the time and love spent putting together such a crazy beautiful day.

  
   
   

  
All I can say is I hope that my wedding in a few months is half as beautiful as this!

What makes you happy? Leave me a comment, I’d love to know! 🙂

xo

Caffeine & Quotes

Ahh yes, Saturday. Typically a Saturday is a nice relaxing day for most people. For me, I never have a relaxing day. It’s just in my blood to be constantly busy and doing something. And then I’m exhausted by the end of the night, and I can’t sleep in the next day so I wake up earlier than I have to just to do it all again! It’s a terrible curse being so chipper and optimistic all the time. 

Coffee gets me through sleepy mornings like today.  This is my blogging view this lovely morning! And yes, that’s a completed puzzle under my coffee that Geoffrey and I finished. It’s the United States. I’m proud of it. So proud, in fact, we are buying a frame for it.

  
It’s just such a beautiful day. There’s nothing I love more than days like today. I have a few photo shoots to do, then I’m off to a wedding later tonight! What a lucky life I live to be able to persue my passion, see family celebrate a wonderful day and even before that I’m able to sit here and sip my coffee while writing this to you. Goodness I am blessed!

Anywho, As I promised, I’m going to continue my 31 day challenge.
Day Two – Your Favorite Quotes

This one is too easy. I LOVE quotes. I love inspirational figure’s opinions on the things I’m going through. It makes me feel like such a part of the human race. We all feel, and think the same way, really. I like that.

   

 

  

And for the last, my favorite quote to live by….

  
What is your favorite quote? 

xo

Nash Farms Snapshot

Hey hey hey! 

Yesterday was supposed to be a rainy day, but it was actually such a beautiful day! So my family and I went to Nash farms in Grapevine, Texas! Jace slept most of the time but when he woke up I could hear him thinking to himself, “um… I went to sleep in the car and I woke up next to a goat.”

  
  
 There was so many cuties at this place! Now I want a farm.

 
There is also an old farm house on the property from 1869. It was so adorable it made me contemplate getting an old house like this, throwing my phone away and living simply like they did back then. 

   
 
  
  
  
  
And we luckily got a picture by a wagon! Such a cool experience.

  
  
  
  
 Just wanted to share! It’s raining now, I’m relaxing, watching I zombie, and enjoying the soft sounds of rain tapping at the windows. What’s your favorite rainy Sunday activity?

xo

Blue Bonnet Fields Forever…

Hello Readers & fellow bloggers!

I don’t really love doing these, I like posting more written content, but I just had to share some pictures with you.

I have recently been taking up photography more than I was before, and I had a session today and brought my little monkey along with me to get some shots of him in the blue bonnets. He was so precious! 

  
  
  
  
  
  
That’s all. Just some baby cuteness to brighten your day.

Xo

DIY Refurbished Desk & Chair: From Rusty & Damaged to Shabby Chic!

Hi everybody!Long time no post.. I have a good reason I swear! I’m so excited to be releasing a project I’ve been working on, and give you some tips from my experience.

As some of my readers from my old blog might remember, I LOVE refurbishing furniture. 

Actually, I have a love/hate relationship with refurbishing furniture. I always make it so much more difficult than it has to be, and always get so overwhelmed half way through. But, when it’s all said and done, I am so proud of myself for the hard work I put in to create beautiful pieces. 

So far I’ve refurbished my great grandmothers old dresser, and my fiancé Geoffrey and I built and painted some side tables/shelves from our imagination with no measurements in mind, and they turned out beautifully! 

Those projects were fun, and the dresser was a tad bit overwhelming, but those were nothing compared to my newest quest. 

I purchased a desk from the 90’s for $25, and was able to get this antique judge’s chair for free. 

  

   
 Okay so here are some tips that I learned while doing this huge project:

• Invest in an electric sander. We did, and it did wonders. We bought one for $30, and I can’t imagine hand sanding all of this. I probably would have died.
• Do as much as you can at once, don’t take breaks or you’ll procrastinate and it will take you almost a week to finish. For me, I would start getting overwhelmed and walk away. I wish I would have just spent 1 day working on these rather than an hour here and there.
• If you’re going to use chalk paint on household furniture, use acrylic chalk paint and wax from the craft section at Walmart. Not only do they have a wider variety of colors that hardware stores don’t offer, but it’s ALOT less expensive, goes on just as well as the chalk paint at lowes, homedepot, Etc., and most importantly- drumroll please- ITS NON TOXIC! This is so important if you’re a crazy anxiety filled freak like me.
• Buy cheap disposable brushes. I bought a pack of 2 brushes for $2 for this whole project, and was able to paint and wax coat everything and dispose of the brushes afterward. I always like to buy disposable tools rather than nicer ones that way if I DO ruin them I don’t feel as bad about it.

Here is our finished product!

  
  
  
  
The thing I love about this, is that it’s unique and nobody else will ever have a desk like it. This is why the process of redoing furniture that sucks so bad is eventually worth it.

A little hard work goes a long way!

We ended up investing about $130 into the project, but are selling it (maybe selling if I decide not to keep it) for $250. That’s enough to cover the cost of making it and make a profit!

P.S. I would like to give a shout out to my crazy amazing fiancé for helping me with this. He out did himself with the heavy lifting and handy work on this desks and chair! 

I would love to see some of your DIY refurbishings! Comment what you think! 🙂 

Xo