Meet BabyB Designs!

I have known Veronica (Ronnie) for quite a while, years. Let's say before Justin brought Sexy Back, perhaps before he met his friends from 'NSYNC. If you said I have known her multiple decades, yes, it is true. Many things may have changed over time, including her artistic ability, it has improved immensely as demonstrated with her new business, BabyB Designs. You will see she creates everything from Birth Announcements to Birthday Cards. They can be electronic or printed, each one can be created uniquely for you or feel free to select from her design templates!

We definitely had fun during this quick shoot, as BabyB stands for the name of her younger son, a nickname given by her older son. Needless to say, those little Utz children were getting restless. As you scroll through the Head shots we did, go below to find out about her special offer--just for my Readers!

SPECIAL OFFER FOR MY BLOG READERS:

So now, just in time for the Holidays, BabyB Designs is offering 15% off EVERYTHING (except mail shop service) AND when you order over 50 Holiday Cards they will be addressed, stamped and shipped for FREE, you just pay for the postage!

Just use the promocode HROPHOTOGRAPHY.

Thanks BabyB Designs! Happy Holidays!

Eats, Drinks and Leaves

C'mon, it was a long Holiday weekend spent with family and friends and you know we overindulged. Whether your poison be beer, sweets or stuffing, you know how you felt the next day, ugh.

But, Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite Holidays. It's not about presents and, dare say it, we are not killing ourselves to go to a certain Mass. It is purely the opportunity to sit around the table with family and friends and have a meal. To share and think about what we have to be truly thankful for, because we have so much.

Oddly though, we were dropping my husband off to go away from home, not return as must people were doing at Philadelphia International on Sunday night. As I dropped him off , I saw all the travelers saying good bye to their own Thanksgiving visitors. The waves, the embraces and farewells to me were touching. I am not quite sure what it is about the excitement of an airport. People coming and going, it happens all the time, why did this particular scene seem so special? First there was the young couple with a baby, being dropped off at the airport by someone who looked like it could have been a brother. The parents were taking their luggage out of the back and the brother, needed to move the car, to actually pull in front of me. I glanced over at him, the baby was on his lap, I waved, she waved little hands back showing me her two teeth with her grin. Her hands were on the wheel and navigating the car with Uncle "Dude this is so illegal" Brother into a spot. I cackled, it was funny, you know she drives better than my mother in law.

Next I saw older parents, dropping off their son who was perhaps in business school in Chicago. Let's say it was the University of Chicago, yes, great school. Perhaps he lives on the North side if Chicago in Lincoln Park. The father gave him an extra big hug, because he was so damn proud of the chap and loves visiting. Who wouldn't love seeing the Phils at Wrigley, right? You could also see more young families with two car seats, a double stroller and 2 gigantic bags that would indicate they either had a lots of things for their twin toddlers or they were hauling the remains of their family back to Minnesota. Because, you know, too much family time can drive you crazy.

Then traffic started to move again and I snapped out of my reverie. I made my way to the exit of the airport, sad to see my husband go. With all that was going on it was so ironic, don't you think?

Our Best Buddies

I just love this photo. It reminds me of all the reasons why I love animals, dogs specifically. Second, I seem to notice a dog before I do the owner. You see the joy this dog brings her, you see the happiness of the dog because it is being cared for so well. Believe me, that love is a two way street.

So many times I remember coming home to my dog and him just being able to give me the right love I needed. All he asked for in return was to fill his dog bowl, a walk, a clean bed and a few pats on the head. Well, if you knew Homer, he was pig for petting, so there were lots of pets demanded. But we have Sawyer these days. He is a 10 month old puppy, sweet and a little dopey. He is good at chasing the deer off our property and his kisses are great. As time has gone by, I see the bond he has developed with our son, so sweet. As much as I miss our old dog, I think I may just have a new place in my heart for this new one.

The Happiest Place, no really

I know, but what they say is true. The Magic Kingdom is the Happiest Place on Earth. However, getting there can be hell. I was so stressed in the planning and preparation, it was maddening. Luckily, we are staying at my parents house. The day before I left I just resigned myself to the fact to taking care of my deliverables to my clients and making sure I packed what I needed for my family's survival.

The one person I was worried about was our dog. I know, I know, he is an animal. But he is only a puppy and under a year old. I was afraid to board him, but had no other choice. However, the choice I made seemed brilliant. He is staying at a spa retreat for dogs, I swear. As I dropped him off, in my haggard state, with a "to-do" list a block long, I found myself jealous. Of a dog. He was going to have his own room, a good size for his size. A yard to run in, and someone to come in to check on him. The yard area was beautiful and spacious. Before we pick him up he is going to get fully groomed--a true spa treatment. With all that relaxation, I thought of all the books I could read and sleeping I could do. Darn you spoiled dog. I did feel bad for my 3yo, who originally was crying in Target when he found out we were buying items for our dog's vacation. After we got home, I caught him telling the dog about the "doggie" vacation. Not sure who the discussion was really for, but my son was smiling.

So here we are, my family, my parents and brother. Rotating in the teacups, cruising the Small World, hitting the countries in Epcot and shaking hands with Woody, Minney and Mickey. Ahhh, the happiest place on earth.

Eat your Fruits and Vegetables

On my journey to continue to take better care of me, I'm trying and that is all that matters.

I have accomplished many things on my list, starting with my commitment to exercise. Albeit the minimum amount, but hey it is all about getting it done. My "dropping of the laptop on my foot" injury is healing up nicely. But running was still out of the question last week. I think I have a deep tissue bruise. It is getting better, but if the running continues to be an injury, I will call my brother in law, the PT.

De-cluttering has begun, just need to get these bags off for donation. As I was going through the motions I started to see everything I wanted to get rid of. I hate that feeling of being up to my eyeballs.

As for the commitment to cooking more often, good news to report. Mr. O'Mara was off on a business trip and the little guy was a good guy to cook for. I also whipped up some Chili on Sunday night that my husband was loving. Hopefully this week what I have on the menu will continue to satisfy to household. Regardless, I want to make a better commitment to eating five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. I know, what a nerd. I used to be good at, I need to get better. I will definitely need to stick with it because...

Next stop, the Happiest Place on Earth! You got it--we're going to Disney!

Bicycle Built for 2

Can I tell you the first time I met Meghan I absolutely knew she was my type of gal? Perhaps it was her love of tournaments with her fiance and their never ending competitions or perhaps the fact the she told me about their recent purchase of Olympic tracksuits. You know, just for fun. I loved it! I had not cackled like that in a long time.

So the day came and I was excited to meet her and Jeremy. With the future groom, I get nervous. Sometimes they are not too keen on getting their photo taken, which is fine by me. My husband was not. However, I could see that Jeremy was into it for one reason, Meghan. Because, she is all the reason he needed. The next few shots of them are loving and hilarious. I am so looking forward to their March Wedding!

The Fall Wedding of Jessie and Zak

It was an absolutely gorgeous day. You could not have ordered something this absolutely perfect. Golden sun, touch of wind and just the right fall temperatures--lovely all around. I loved this Bride and Groom, their families and friends. They were married at St. Bridget's Church in East Fall's, with a Reception at the Germantown Cricket Club. Best of all, there was a surprise appearance from Philadelphia's Mummers. A Picture Perfect Day, with a very memorable ending. Check out the Slideshow below.

October Wedding from Heather O'Mara on Vimeo.

Trying to Choose me, with a little help...

I write on Mondays about taking time for me. But when you are in love, you get distracted. Look at this little guy. So cute, so sweet and so good at working his way into my exercise planning.

But, last week, I made it all happen. Thanks to better planning and some team work with family. I know I need to get back on the horse as I just look at my skin and the scale. But enough of that stuff. I am just ready to keep on, keeping on. The fact that I dropped my laptop on my foot last week and that it is black, blue and purple did not even deter me. I was proud of myself for that.

For my next new agenda item, de-cluttering, that was attacked as well. I attacked some items in the living room, such as the reading material. Did I really need Cooking Light Magazines from last year? Numerical or not, these need not to be filed in our home, but in the recycling bin. I am not even go into the items my husband reads, but he was proud of my handiwork. My next area of attack was our closets. Something about it feels so cleansing in itself.

To be honest, the de-clutter project is going to take a long while. But, the next thing I need to embrace is my love of cooking. How come my Cooking Light Magazines were dusty? Some unread? No excuses O'Mara, no excuses.

Until next time,

HRO

Taking Care of Me

Last week I wrote a post about how I was semi-focusing in every direction. There are so many areas of focus I was neglecting, especially myself, so I took a page out of one of my brides. I got an awesome day at the salon. Nothing like a little style and color update to make a gal feel special, right?

But what is on deck for this week? The exercise neglect. I did try to get ahead of myself and dust off my 5 days a week running plan. But I paused, what is my true goal here? First, I don't want to burn myself out. I want to get myself back on track completely. So I made a slow start commitment. 3 days are a must, 4 days are good and 5 make me, well let's all face it--awesome. I figure if I lay out small goals, I will get it all together. Ironically, true story, I dropped my laptop on my foot today. The corner of it, I have a bruise and it is a little swollen. I guess I need to "man" up.

Oooh and net week, tackling the closet clutter. Ironically, I used to live for this. My husband and I would do this each year. I have not done it in two and I really do not think it was done well last time, I guess when you have a little midget child running around, things are challenging. So, I am going to draft my "POA", Plan of Action, and roll up my sleeves. If I have not worn you in a season, you are gone!

Wish me luck!