The Reset Confrence

(Bex, myself, Kellie, Bobbi and Mike)

I will never forget the email I got from Bex telling me about The Reset Conference. About her and Kellie's dream of a conference to help inspire and educate others. I was blown away and so humbled that she was asking ME to be a keynote speaker. I will remember our first phone call like it happened yesterday. A stranger. Someone I had never heard of or spoke to before... God put her in my life and the minute I talked to her for the first time I just KNEW. We talked for almost two hours...TWO HOURS! Like we had known each other for years. We talked about business, family, our chaotic and busy lives, about God and our parallel faith. We talked about our dreams, goals, fears, determination to overcome those fears and so much more. This girl was meant for me. She is a forever friend.  We briefly met at WPPI a few months later but those of  you who have been know what a crazy busy time that week is and coordinating a meet up is almost impossible. So it wasn't until she was picking me up from the airport the weekend of the conference did I really get to KNOW her in real life.

Her and Kellie, whom I was meeting for the first time too, were more than I could have asked for in hostesses and as friends. They showed me around the town of Champaign. We ate...GOOD... and shopped and enjoyed each others company all of Saturday before it was time to crack down and be ready for the full day of conference Sunday! Enjoy a recap of  my trip via my SPANK.stagrams...

1. Well I was enjoying my cup of jo special THANKS to my sweet friend Marie owner of Bloom & Grow Photography who gifted me a start bucks card via FB!

2. the obligatory "wing in the air" shot

3. FINALLY got to meet my sweet BEX!!!

4. When I landed the scooped me up from the airport and took me to get sushi... FLAMING SUSHI!!

5. Bex, simmer down with the camera you photog.

6. WHAT...again? gah crazy girl.

7. obligatory coffee house shot...you know..."when in a coffee house do as the coffee house peeps do"... oh. did I make that up?

8. Sweet Kellie, we had SUCH a fun time over breakfast!

9. "when in an alley with crazy fun light...do as the peeps in the alley"... oh am I making this one up too?

10. Bex writing on the dry erase wall in the coffee shop....leaving our mark.

11. because its the truth.

12. poppin tags...

13. dinner with the speakers!

14. getting our speeches ready for the conference.

15. is that Bex stressing her presentation or covering her nose from the dog's "little extra smelly gifts" you decide...

16. officially a peeper... I see your door ladies!

17. ALL OF MY FAVORITE things in one cute box on my bed from Bex and Kellie! So sweet and thoughtful.

18.eeeeek I FINALLY got to meet and HUG Kim from SHUTTERbagUSA I adore her real leather bags!

19. whaaaa a Photo Booth! get out. a room full of photographers + a Photo Booth = can not pull me out of that thing!

20. I seriously was so so so excited to get to meet all the fun people I am friends with on FB in REAL LIFE!!!

21. feet.hurt. loooong day.

22. again. Bex. get outta mah food woman.

23. these sweet ladies brought me coffee while I packed up and headed to the airport.

24. FUN weekend but was ready to head home to see my family! (thats not really me in that plane) ;)

so serious I am. speechin'

It was a FANTASTIC weekend. I am so grateful for the relationships I have made throughout my journey. I know I say it often but this is a gift I never expected out of photograph and it is one I NEVER feel worthy of deserving.

SPANK.stagrams | a weekend in my life

With FOUR kids life is ALWAYS crazy! It isn't very often we have a weekend where we have "off" from sports but this weekend we did. Between the kids all going to the county fair with friends we did get to have a little family time with our littles!

1. Waking up with coffee on the driveway while I watch my boys play basketball...and as usual Buster doesn't get far from my side.

2. Paysli and her friend at the fair... that looks like fun! ;)

3. Pacen and I waiting for our table so we can get some Crawfish.

4. Paysli was so sick...but kept going for more!

5. Finally, dinner and a drink!

6. All day. All night. these boys play ball all they can.

7. We took the entire family to the movies, and I looked back to see my oldest holding my youngest hand. melted my heart.

8. When did my Baylen get so big!

9. Again with the basketball at sunrise!

10. a teenage GROWING boy and 5 lbs of crawfish made his tummy happy!

11. The twiners were so into the movie...and the popcorn!

12. GOD'S NOT DEAD. A wonderful movie and if you haven't seen it GO NOW!

SPANK.stagrams | real life

Life has been a little bit of crazy. A mommy of four means I have little time to just sit and do nothing... so what have I been up to lately?

1. My twins have had 2 major school projects which as you know turns into a "mommy project" I am happy to repost I can officially pass the 6th grade again! ;) (I am kidding, this time they actually did the majority of the project themselves... it is hard for me not to pull out my hot glue gun and glitter and take over, but being BOYS they seem to have an issue with me putting pink glitter on their class work...maybe my daughter will appreciate it more)

2. Yet another Valentines Day has come and gone... the hubby took me on an out of town road trip date day (ok so really that was just a fancy way of saying we had something to do out of town and threw in a "date" lunch) so we left a little something on the table so when the kiddos got home from school they'd have a little treat...candy, stuffed animals and Starbucks Mochas with a little note telling them "You MOCHA us proud to be your parents) yes people, thats as CREATIVE as this once very creative momma gets these days.

3. Our Valentines day road trip selfie. (really you all know car light is the BEST sooooo.... it was more about looking good in the light than capturing the moment) ;)

4. Oh did I mention that our Valentines consisted of walking property? Soooo romantic... funny though, our first Feb 14th SIXTEEN years ago was spent doing the exact same thing!

5. This past month I did another full day 1:1 mentoring session and they are FULL days to say the least, but so much fun. I LOVE getting to hear each story, dream, and journey.

6. We had an amazing model, Carly.

7. Not sure, but when I teach I clearly channel Vanna White and make it look pretty good...wouldn't you say ;)

8. And....it is select ball season again. This is one half of my duo, Brylen but on the field he is known as Ya-ya (because I love the Sandlot and it is just as cute as he is)

9. If it isn't baseball, or volleyball, it is running my 14 yr old from track practice right over to his 7:7 football practice... is it time for a margarita yet?

10. THIS makes all the running, laundry and stinky socks worth it.

11. Oh annnnnd.... Pretty Paysli had her very first speaking part in her 2nd grade play, if you couldn't tell by the very awesome and oh so elaborate homemade costume, she was a ladybug! (don't hate on my sewing hot glue gunning skill)

12. Pacen, the other part of the twin duo in this house... also known as Pac-man on the baseball field. He just eats it up...haha get it "pac-man...eat it up) yah I think I need that margarita now, I am so much more funny when I have been drinking! ;)

enjoy a few images of Carly from our mentoring day!

SPANK.stagrams | WPPI 2014

I do not care how many times you go to WPPI in Vegas. Each year is so different from the last....not better (and hopefully not worse) but a DIFFERENT kind of FUN.  This year I went with Monica Roberts Photography, Wendy Gail Photography and Tina from Shot of Whimsy Photography. We had a BLAST and I was so glad I got to spend a few days with these girls!

So what is WPPI? It is not a week long party like many of our husbands might say ;) It is a week FULL of learning, networking and laughing. I get asked often "is it worth it" I say YES. Yes because YOU can make it what YOU want. There are more classes than any one person not only can go to but can process the information from. There are so many different styles of shootouts challenging yourself with shooting, building a portfolio or adding a little character to your work is all available if that is what you want. But for me, above ANY of the other there are RELATIONSHIPS made. Sure we know each other on FB, but with social media it is easy to forget the value of FACE to FACE conversations. Believe it or not, there are so many people there I have never even heard of and to have to chance to meet them is every bit worth the trip. I have know many of my FB friends for YEARS and the moment you get to hug them and sit down and have a REAL conversation with them is priceless. The relationships I have made from the past 4 years WPPI have gotten me friendships, vendor contacts for my business, business relationships with likeminded photographers and so much more. This year there was possible talk of being invited to speak at an AMAZING conference, I got to meet 3 new AMAZING companies that are now going to be offering my workshoppers AWESOME discounts, and I met 2 guys who heard my dreams for the future and THEY. GOT. IT and want to help get me to that place! BIG things come from this "week of parties" and I can not wait to watch as it all unfolds.  Here is a little look into our 2014 WPPI trip...

This post is WAY long but I narrowed down as much as I could so I will post the first half then the second at the bottom of the image.

1. Tina, myself and Wendy met at the airport in Austin and Monica flew from San Antonio.

2. we were ready to get there, we had planned, talked, stressed, and worked for this day for MONTHS and it was HERE!

3. we met up with Moncia at the Vegas airport and our week... began!

4. We got in Sunday evening and after unpacking we headed down to the lobby bar to get a few drinks and people watch.

5. Did I mention we had a few drinks?

6. OK maybe a few TOO many drinks!

7. The next morning as we headed down to the trade show I could NOT wait to meet up with my long lost friend Monica Day, I was searching everywhere so I could find her and HUG HER NECK!

8. I got to hang out with my sweet and long time FB/IG friend Rachel Vos and Michelle Newell and met Tash for the first time!

9. of course I had to stop and get my pic taken with the Woodsnap guys... 3 years and counting.

10. My Monica... can't you see why I ADORE this lady! (and yes, I claimed her as MINE...deal)

11. Wendy and Monica apparently hacked my phone

12. Someone had to do it...right?

13. celebrity spotting.

14. Please don't ask so I do not have to answer that...

15. the elevator selfie, when in Vegas...

16. the VOLCANO from the Rain Forest cafe...we needed a sugar fix and this delivered

17. finally got to meet Sasha from Bluelips Photography ...LOVE HER, she is as REAL in real life as she is on FB

18. room service = no explanation

19. **CHEERS** to business relationships that are more FRIENDships than anything else!

20. Candice with Candice Rock Photography....everyone told us we looked like sisters... I'll take it. I could only wish to be that beautiful! and Christian who happens to be my favorite Woodsnapper.

21. you can't go to Vegas and not go to Secret Pizza, best place ever and such fun memories each year!

22. just a little stalker-ish...we all have it in us.

23. Monica wrecking havoc on the Woodsnap booth, again...just don't ask!

24. people watching from my room during a tiny little break/ phone charge session!

25. Loved watching Ike and Tash give their presentation at the Black River booth

26. so happy to get to meet Bobbi from Bobbi and Mike

27. Can not wait to work with this crazy lady next month at The Reset Conference!

28. Dessert adventure... I mean shoot! ;) (thats another story)

29. Lovely ladies, Sasha and my two Monicas.

30. Rob, ok this guy won me over with his smile...and laugh. thank goodness he finds us funny...I thought he'd run off!

31. Walking to Pure go get our dance on...too bad by the time we got there our feet were killing us. But hey it was a fun little detour through the Flamingo.

32. Girls night outs are the BEST

33. We had our own little mini photoshoot in the hallway...that is what happens when you are surrounded by photographers.

34. Steve Saporito...just watch out, you will be seeing a lot more from this man I can promise!

35. TASH!

36. Only Tiffany with Munchkins and Mohawks can make laughing beautiful. love getting to spend time with her!!

37. On our way to Serendipities for some frozen hot chocolate and onion rings!

38. Long with Custom SLR (my HANDS DOWN) FAVORITE camera strap EVER! so fun meeting the vendors you deal with face to face!

39. LOOOONG chat with my friend Kelly Moore. Can not wait to see what she is planning, I have been bribing her for over a year to get this done and I KNOW she will make it PERFECT!!!

40. Dessert shooting with Essie.

41. Remember Charity my Simply Spanki friend who joined us for the SS slumber party...I got to hang out with her in Vegas too!

42. Charity again, and Stephanie (another Simply Spanki sister) and Christin who happens to be local and we have hung out at a meet and greet before!

43. oh my sweet Bex... she is the host to the Reset conference and I just didn't get near enough time with her in Vegas so we will have to make up for it in Chicago.

44. Oops...no matter how many times I'd tell myself I was NOT buying anything while I was there... Kelly Moore gets me my pocket book every time!

45. Kelli with Chic Critique and Leah with Go 4 Pro... it was WPPI 4 years ago that we met and the relationships that have built are priceless!

46. Ricky!! Co-owner of Woodsnap and a dear friend... THIS is what I LOVE about WPPI, you get to see friends once a year but you pick up right where you left off and I am so glad we got to catch up.

47. Chic Critique meet and greet. I got to meet some AMAZING ladies!

48. Ok, so here we are making fun of Monica for her feet hurting and being a maw-maw...

49. that is what I get for making fun of her... shoes off. My feet HATE Vegas!!!

50. SO, I was done. Spanki -0 Vegas-1 I was ready for my coffee and a loooong nap on the flight home. As I sat at my terminal I run into my childhood friend and husbands college roommate Justin! soooo I thought I'd sleep the flight home but nooooo, we talked and laughed the entire way, thank goodness we didn't find each other in Vegas...that Baccarat table wouldn't have known what hit it!! :P

and if you prefer to watch as you listen to my favorite song...this is for your viewing enjoyment.

[video width="640" height="640" mp4="http://spankimills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_8653.mp4"][/video]

Vegas you did my heart good... one more year.

SPANK.stagrams | Chicago Trip

Not going to say a ton about these since the REAL camera post said it all….but I couldn't resist posting all my iPhone images too. These people are my whole HEART.

Spank.stagrams | giving from the heart…a life lesson

a baiting suit barbie, new baby diaper bag, the iPad air… it is that time already, time to get the Christmas Gift list. My three boys, our little PayPay, the in-laws, my parents, his brother, my 3 nieces, my sister and her new husband… the list can go on and on…but lets face it. I am not sure about all of you but I am OVER how we do the holidays. When did we go so far off path. Why is it ALL. SO. WRONG. What am I teaching my children? We are easily too consumed with "What did I get so and so last year and how am I going to out do myself this year"…Really? Money is love? I was done. I was not going to participate in Christmas festivities if THIS is what it was going to be like. I was pouting. I begged my husband to pack us all up and lets just take a family road trip and escape it! Well that didn't go over very well, we do still have to have Santa come to our home and I do want to have memories as a family in our home. So we decided to make a change. We already did the 3 gift rule with our children…you know the "If Jesus, our SAVIOR was given THREE gifts…why do you deserve more" rule? We don't limit them to read, wear, want… but we do give price limits (y'all 4..FOUR kids is a LOT to buy for). But every year it isn't the kids we end up stressing, it is the family… the family that SHOULD already know that the holidays aren't about GIFTS, it is about LOVE and TIME together! But it easily gets out of hand. This past year we decided to teach our children that it isn't the amount of money you spend it is the thought and heart you put into it. So we had a family gift making day and build our gifts!

A few months before Christmas I was in a very nice boutique full of amazing home decor. I was immediately drawn to the large horse silhouette on barn wood hanging above the bed… went over to see the price and saw $1,500.00!!!! Um YIKES, I was in the WRONG store! So this was it. THIS is what we were giving to our family. and we did.

1. the inspiration that cost $1,500.00

2. the kids did EVERYTHING, we even let them use the saw with daddy's supervision.

3. distressing the wood happened to be the crowd favorite!

4. measure once…cut twice? yep that is what you get when 12 yr olds are doing your measuring!

5. STILL distressing… that was the FUN part

6. staining the wood…and every piece of clothing we were wearing and a little bit of our skin too!

7. every one of the kids had to participate in each step of the project

8. we keep on waiting… waiting for the boards to dry (in my best John Mayer voice)

9. then we had them dry brush white paint over the stained wood and scrape it off with a wire brush

10. we added 2 strips of smaller stained wood

11. I hand drew the horse outline and let the kids color it in

12. STOP…hammer time!

13. we used chalkboard paint but that was only because it was what we had in the garage.

14. FINISHED!!

15. pretty close to the inspiration if I do say so myself and ours ended up costing us less than $80 and had 100% more LOVE!

Gifts were give to the grandparents and the tears began. it was the most rewarding moment for our kids to see their efforts so greatly appreciated and loved. The kids area already starting their search for what we get to make this year…YAY Christmas is back to fun, exciting, and THOUGHTFUL!

*we made the same thing, just a bit smaller for the aunts and uncles knowing the size homes they were going into.

the places this job has taken me...

It is almost fall and with the change of the weather, in our town the people start talking….talking about the local "corn maize" at P-6 Farms by the Poole Family. Well I was asked to come out on "media" day and help get some images of the new and very secret design for this years maze! It stormed like CRAZY that day and we were all on stand by… I mean this WAS my first time in a real helicopter… but the clouds parted and it was all a "GO" . It didn't really hit me until I was driving to the farm and I could see this tiny object hovering high in the sky and I realized it was the very helicopter I was about to go in!! What an amazing day. It was so awesome to see my ENTIRE town from this view!!! And do you not just LOVE the maze design? "In God we Trust" in the American flag with the eagle…YES, I LOVE my town! and I can not wait to take my family to get lost in the maize!!!!

SPANK.stagrams | Monterey,CA workshop

So, I m finally settling in after my week in California and getting my kiddos prepared to start another school year! I can not begin to tell you the amazing time I had in California! This time I brought my friend Misty with me as my assistant. We flew into San Francisco and had 2 of the girls (Sarah and Lea) meet us at the airport and drive us the 2 hours to Monterey. At sunset we took a little detour to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and Pier. After experiencing west coasters argue over a parking spot (yes, the west coasters I was riding with...us Texans are so sweet compared to you people haha) I finally got to see my first California beach...and more importantly, lifeguard stand!!! We hung out for just a little bit before we hit the road again and made it to Monterey. We went to a little pub for dinner and had a BLAST watching people dance the evening away! I was a nervous wreck pulling up to our home for the weekend, you know renting sight unseen online is so hard, but OH MY GOODNESS we had the most adorable home ever (do I not say that for EVERY workshop) this house was out of a magazine perfect! So we got up early and got prepared and spent the day workshopping and shooting. I had an amazing group of girls join me and seriously can not wait to go back to visit them again!

Sunday we had a little time that morning while our models were getting ready to go walk around town (my first time out in the day light) to see!!! We saw REAL live SEALS! I am not even kidding! It was so magical. The shootout was PERFECT! Our models... I can not even put into works how great they were... you will see when I post their images! We had a local news anchor and her beau for our couple and OMG were they HOT! We even had a few girls aspiring to become modes some got into...YES, IN TO to the water that was ICE (what they would do for an amazing image) It seriously made for the BEST time! When we hit the bed that night we were exhausted but on a high from the past few days.

Monday started a new day and new journey as we drove from Monterey down the coast through LA and to Laguna Beach to the next workshop... images for the next workshop and the "real camera images" from this workshop are coming soon!!! Until then enjoy our instagrams and to see more check out #adaywithspanki on FB and IG.

1. I could NOT wait to see my first lifeguard stand on a California beach!!!

2. getting our workshop on! Gosh I talk with my (man) HANDS!

3. Sweet sweet Laura... my Monterey workshop hostess did an AMAZING job!!!

4. Shooting! We had a model get IN the cold... I mean FREEZING COLD water for us.

5. Behind the scenes of the girls shooting our amazing models.

6. One of the most fun nights I have had in a long time... we went to a pub and watched people dance!

7. The group out sight seeing.

8. Um. Why didn't I really "get" how cold it was going to be until I got there!!!

9. Shark weeeeek!!!

10. Misty and I looking for seals!.

11. Oh how I can not express how amazing our models were!

12. Me 'splanin how the shootout will work...bossy.

13. OH. MY. GOODNESS. Our house had to be the cutest house in all of Pacific Grove!

14. Mia and myself just defying gravity...or playing with the hill we were walking down!

15. Chucks and sea creatures.

and the BEST for last... yes we merged two images together... but this just sums up our time together... SO FUN!! (we are missing Aaryn and thanks to Misty who took this image)

It is summer!

It is summer... AWESOME we get to sleep late and stay up to see the stars in the warm Texas sky.

BUT it also means it is time for me to SLOW. IT. DOWN. Here in TX, our summers are a lot like the winters you guys have up north... we kind of all shut down and keep COOL! So what does that mean for me with Spanki Mills Photography? Well it means a TON of new things brewing up. It is time I grow creatively, time I allow myself to do the projects I have been wanting to do with my own children and it means creating for YOU. I have a long list of things I am wanting to do for you guys...

so far this is what my travel plans look like....

JULY 15th I will be in Gulf Shores, AL for my twins select baseball tournament... I am offering a first come first serve mentoring/session while I am there. My time will be limited BUT this will be discounted prices since I will already be there. IF you are in the area and wanting mentoring, family/children/senior or creative artist sessions please let me know ASAP!

WORKSHOPS!!!! Lets talk workshops. I have THREE currently on the books and am trying to get one in Chicago in Sept. but here is what I have so far...

AUGUST 3rd - Monterey, CA "a day with Spanki" workshop info HERE!

OCTOBER 5th- South Jersey, NJ "a day with Spanki" workshop info HERE!

OCTOBER 19th- Phoenix, AZ "a day with Spanki" workshop info HERE! **this one will be extra special as my sweet friend Jasen with Studio Moirae and I celebrate our birthdays together this week!!

AND I am opening up a SUMMER edition of SIMPLY SPANKI the online workshop that will begin June 15th. Details coming SOON!

info@spankimills.com please put the workshop CITY in the subject line.

Spank.stagrams | Simply Spanki group meets in person

As many of you know Simply Spanki is my online workshop and coaching group. We just completed our first three month session. I will have to say I was very unsure of how it would go... I had a very clear vision of what I WANTED but there were a few unexpected challenges as with all things we try for the first time, we just have to live and learn. And that I did. But in the end it was a fantastic group of women, we covered everything I know, use and implement in my own business and after we went over it all, they were set out on their own to work on the things discussed but had a group of support and myself to help overcome any challenges and questions that arose along the way. Three months is a LONG time... it was not three full months of teaching (is is named SIMPLY Spanki for the very reason I am extremely SIMPLE and sadly I do not have three months of information to give) it is basically every bit of information I cover in my one day workshop but this allows them to come and go as they need. To hop into the group when they have time between taking kids to the soccer meet and making dinner and see what we are going over, figure out if it is something they want to implement into their own business workflow and try it out. Over the three months we became very close. We became FRIENDS.

A few wanted to meet in person so we planned a girls weekend in Austin, TX. Some couldn't make it and we sure missed them... it was a blast!! No stress, no expectations, just a GIRLS WEEKEND amongst friends, photographers, women.

1. Our amazing house for the weekend.

2. Jill thrift shopping. What you know about rockin' a wolf on your noggin?

3. Behind the scenes of Krystal during our evening shoot.

4. 8 women getting ready at the same time... thank goodness there was a LARGE mirror in the dining room.

5. CANDY store!!

6. Our ceiling... the house was so much fun!

7. Group dinner.

8. Dani drinking away her sorrows from a LONG hard day in Texas...bee sting in the mouth and a cactus up the nose merits a beer in hand!!

9. It isn't Austin without a Hey Cupcake stop!

10. Heidi and myself working some OCF...aka headlights! ;)

11. Day time shoot!

12. the human carwash/shower. awkward placement of jets is all.

13. obsessed.

14. Ambers thrift shop find...One man's trash, that's another man's come-up.

15. Dani getting her model on while Heidi dances during our morning shoot.

16. We gonna pop some tags...

17. the front yard at night. LOVE.

18. anyone want a dental exam... it was 99 cents!

19. candy cigarette machine.

20. ATX.

SPANK.stagrams | ATX workshop

Behind the scenes at the Austin, TX "a day with Spanki" workshop

1. friday night, Amy and I relaxing  and we are ready for the morning!

2. gave the models the camera!

3. Kelly shooting a model.

4. The entire group at Sundays shootout.

5. P. Terry's hamburgers and chicken burgers...BEST.LUNCH.EVER.

6. Lorena getting her shoot on!!!

7. Brandie, Kelly, Cheri, Amy and I on the streets of downtown ATX.

8. Food trucks and cupcake man! yes we got a few free samples ;)

9. HOMESLICE... best pizza in Austin.

10. Don't ask.

11. Yes, that is the assistants "Spanki list" and yeeees there is a reminder for me to wax my lip!

12. We had to try that one out... and it was goooood.

13. Brandie (the hostess) and myself at the end of the day!

14. I had a BLAST with the models!!!

15. ooop there we are drinking our f'heck yeahs.

16. Enjoying the evening at HOMESLICE.

17. shootout models were GREAT!

18. yeah...look at that muscle...oh wait...there IS NO muscle!

19. workshop workbook and task timer.

20. waaaait... I knew that 5 seconds on the timer wasn't going to be enough so I never stopped running, turned around, and reset! :)

SPANK.stagrams | WPPI 2013

Well it was another FUN time at WPPI 2013! I had a goal this year. Work has been stressful and I was so excited to go, learn, see, meet, and network... but I also knew I wanted to get away, have fun and let my hair down. The WPPI is a week FULL of amazing information, but there have been times in the past that I come home MUSH. My head spinning with information and almost at a lost at how to implement it or what direction to go in to utilize what I have heard. This year was different. It was EXACTLY what I needed. I went with a new friend Misty, a photographer new to the industry  just getting started. I wanted her to have the full experience.It was perfect, we  meet up with my other sweet sweet friend Amy and we went to a few classes, walked the trade show floor and got to see what it was all about BUT we also had a great girls time too! So here is a little recap in INSTAGRAMS from our time there.

1. This was my first time flying at night.

2. Okay WEIRD. as soon as we checked into our room, our neighbors were in the middle of a CRAZY fight... yep totally NOT cool to tell pretty ladies in Vegas that the woman you are with is your sister, when actually it is your WIFE!!! ummm huh. we heard it!

3. Got to meet up with some sweet FB friends for breakfast the first morning we were there.

4. The ONLY early class I went to was to support my sweet sweet friend Jamie Schultz. She was AMAZING!

5. yes, you are seeing that right... no clothes, just paint... only in VEGAS!!

6. Jesh DeRox... need I say more?

7. Sue Bryce... I know, be jealous ;)

8. Misty and I eating dinner and people watching... looks like we should have been watching the lady behind us... clearly she had fun in vegas!!!

9. WINNER WINNER!!! Amy racked up on the slots... I TOLD them to follow me to the HOT machines...too bad Vegas HATES ME! :(

10. Just checking on the neighbors again!

11. The trade show floor...everything a photographer could dream of!!! (dangerous on the wallet)

12. The Design Aglow ladies... so fun to meet in person the people I email and work with.

13. Misty tough me Roulette. again...SHE won...vegas still HATES ME.

14. Got to see my super fab assistant Kathy!

15. Misty and Amy trying to figure out where the money went...

16. Sneaking out of our room in our PJs and sunglasses to head down to get a drink hoping no one would notice us!

17. Got the drink and headed back to the room for a girls night in!

18. Three besties out on the town!!

19.  Gary Fong!!

20. One of my favorite vendors WoodSnap. Christian was making me feel famous since I was on the brochure.

21. Yes there is MY quote...well SORT of MINE ;)

22. Getting in a little work with Kathy... who REALLY works in VEGAS?

23. Every day we took a picture waiting on the elevator since the window light was MAGIC!

24. Hanging out with a few more of my FB fans... Love that they recognized me and said hello!

25. George Varanakis with the CreativeLive team!

I was on the fence about going this year, last minute I decided to go and am so glad I did. I seriously can not say enough how much I enjoy going, learning and seeing so many of my long distance friends, BUT I was sure glad to get home and back to my family!