Wednesday, December 31, 2014

New Year's Eve | 2015

Bring on the New Year! I can't wait to see what 2015 has in store...

As for resolutions, have you made any? I know it can feel overwhelming to make such a massive commitment, but instead I try and look at it as a fresh opportunity to better myself. If you are new to the whole resolution game, it's probably best to start small. Identify a goal and make it manageable and measurable. Also, be sure to write it down. There is something about writing your goals down that makes them so real. Plus, it's fun to look back throughout the year and track your success.

 I'd love to hear what your resolutions are for 2015, so leave your thoughts in the comments below. As always, thank you for reading and loving what I do here. Your support means everything to me. Now spread the word, Hip Hop Hooray has big plans for the next 365! 
Sequin skirt | Studded collar blouse, similar HERE | High collar faux fur jacket | Over the knee boots, similar HERE | Watch | Earrings 

Xo,
T.

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Family Photos | Part II + Tips

I'm so glad you liked yesterday's post and photos as much as I do. Thank you for your sweet comments and support across my social media, it really means so much to me. 

Today I'm bringing you the second half of our family photos, in addition to a few tips if you are planning a mini-shoot of your own. Being prepared is key (as with most things we tackle in life), but preparation is essential when it comes to a long day in front of the camera. Especially when dealing with the three and under crowd. Here we go...

1. Comfort - we all know party clothes can be binding, so choose your outfits wisely. This will put all of you at ease from the start. Which is crucial for relaxed, happy looking pictures.

2. Timing - take into account meal and nap time. Pictures are usually shot in the early(ish) morning, or late afternoon to catch the best light. Try and schedule your session around when your babes are at their best. For us, this was in the morning. Waking up super early wasn't fun, and the morning fog made my hair a little frizzy, but at the end of the day it all worked out for the best.

3. Location - I wish I would have taken my own advice on this one. The redwoods made for gorgeous photos, but between the hike in, no bathrooms, and wood chips...it was less than ideal for two little ones. Think about where your babes feel at home and happy. Maybe it is literally your home, or maybe the park. Wherever it is make sure it's somewhere condusive to their needs. 

4. Backup - it would have been a fabulous idea to bring along your mom or a friend to help for the day. Luckily for me, Megan was on hand to help out like the sweet friend she is, but most photographers won't play hide and go seek with your kids while you change or need a quick break. Consider reinforcements if you can get them. 

5. Plan - are their certain groupings (just the babes, just you, etc) or poses that you want? Make note ahead of time and discuss the plan with your photographer for a smooth session. Also have a realistic idea of props and outfit changes. I am all about making the most out of your time and money, but if it's just stressing you out consider ditching the idea all together. 

6. Pack - snacks, drinks, toys, ipad, whatever! Make sure you come with more than you think you will need to keep the babes happy. Also bring a blanket for a rest area in between pics, and a wagon or stroller so your kids aren't exhausted by the time you get to the location. 

I hope this helps you plan your next photo session, and that it's a fun and memorable experience. And if not...hey, you tried! 
Xo,
T.

Monday, December 29, 2014

Family Photos | Part I

I'm so excited to finally share my family photos with you. I've waited so long to show these babies off, and now that our Christmas cards have gone out, it's on. As always, our photographer and friend Megan was on point. This girl hiked into the red woods, witnessed ridiculous things that will remain in the redwoods...all while remaining so sweet and patient with us. 

I really wanted to have these pictures represent us well, and accurately display this time in our lives. So what better than a doughnut date? Coffee and doughnuts are respectively our guilty pleasures, and make for cute props. Plus, we just seriously needed the fuel since these photos were taken around nine in the morning! The struggle is real people. Life (and photography) pretty much cater around the babes' schedule, and this was no exception. That calls for a vent iced coffee if you ask me...
Join me tomorrow for part two!
Xo,
T.

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Pajama Party

Welcome Back! How was your Christmas? We had a really fabulous time celebrating and relaxing, I'm so sad to see it go. Christmas may be over, but we still had one last holiday party on our list. The Sunday after Christmas our church hosts a pajama party where the kids get to watch a Christmas movie and eat popcorn...so fun! As you can see we dressed up our matching red stripe jammies with vests and cool kicks. I'm also rocking a few of my favorite pieces from Santa, for more details see below. 
Stitch and Feather sweater | Denim skirt | Booties | Clutch, similar HERE | Sunglasses | Earrings 
Xo,
T.

Thursday, December 25, 2014

A Merry Little Christmas

As I'm sitting here after midnight watching paint dry (literally, not figuratively) between the first and second application of chalk paint, I can't help but think about how crazy this is. We are in the midst of setting up a labor intensive pretend farmer's market in a tiny little nook in the kitchen...all before Christmas morning. Something we don't really have room for, but wanted anyway. As cray cray as this sounds, I literally can't wait to see their faces in the morning and watch the fun they'll have using this new imaginative space. What inspired us? Good question...

I blame Pinterest and Land Of Nod for putting all these crazy/cute ideas in my head. I thank Cory for making it happen, and I curse the thought of waking up before 7:30 a.m tomorrow. Remember, no matter how crazy your Christmas is, take time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and the hope only He can bring. 

Since I have a few more minutes before the next round of chalk paint, I thought I'd share my Christmas look with you. I hope you enjoy it and have your own merry little Christmas! 
Old Navy Top (still in stores) same shirt, different print online HERE | Forever21 crochet skirt: unavailable, similar HERE | Heeled sandals: old, similar HERE | Lips: Stilla "Beso" + MAC pro long wear lip pencil in "trust in red"

I'd post the rest of my outfit details, but this wall isn't going to paint itself....
Merry Christmas,
T.

Monday, December 22, 2014

JOYFUL | 2014 Christmas Card

Christmas cards are a big deal around here. Needlessly, I take them way too serious. The positive outcome of this unnecisary use of time and money is a memory, which in my book is tooootally worth it! Christmas cards seem like my personal version of a yearbook. It kind of wraps up the year and serves as a great keepsake for my family. I hope you enjoy our 2014 tinyprints card as much as I do!

Photos by: Megan Hartley Photography
Xo,
T.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Oh What Fun!

Merry Christmas from our crew to yours! Hip Hop Hooray is going to be on Christmas vacay...but don't worry, I'll pop in to share our Christmas cards and one last holiday look between now and the New Year. In the meantime, check out these babes in their matching light-looking attire. It's literally too cute to handle. I may be slightly biased though...

Stripe jammies (3T on her, 18 mos on him) | Baby Gap knit beanie (M/L on her, XS/S on him)
Xo,
T.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Holiday Look | Crop Top

I'm back with another crop top look for you! (Surprise, surprise.) This time with long sleeves and glitter, which happen to be two of my favorite elements to pair together when it comes to any holiday look. I especially love how metallic this top photographed. In real life (as opposed to my blog life) it's very glittery. So glittery in fact, it actually leaves a little sparkle wherever you go. What more could you ask for? A grande chestnut and praline latte with one of those cute little Starbucks snowman cookies you say? Touché.
Asos sheer panel skirt (sold out) similar, HERE | Forever21 crop top | Shoes: no longer available | Sunglasses | JCrew earrings & similar bracelet
Xo,
T.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

12 Days Of Christmas

I've been thinking a lot lately about the craziness that goes down at Christmas. I'm so easily distracted and enticed by the sparkle and spending. It's actually cray. One of my girlfriends recently posted something to her Insty feed that really inspired me. She decided this year she was going to create a season of togetherness by giving the gift of "doing." In all her crafty goodness she made a handful of cute little brown paper treat bags, each containing tickets to activities, or crafts to be made, etc.

This concept could be recreated in so many ways; maybe as an advent calendar strung up on twine, or hooked as ornaments on the tree. You could even shorten it and do a 12 days of Christmas countdown. It's something I would love to adopt and make my own for next year. Even if you still decide to do gifts, it's a great way to bring the focus back to family and time well spent. 

Have you ever done anything like this before? How did it go? I'd love to hear from you! 
Xo,
T.

Monday, December 15, 2014

Business Casual

I wouldn't recommend sporting this to the office, (it is, after all, glorified sweat pants) but I would definitely say this is an outfit for handling business. The texture and floral print make these stylish and super comfortable, but then the blazer kicks the whole look up a notch. Swap out the booties for heels like these, and you've got yourself a Saturday night look as well. I don't know about you, but I always like to be prepared for my next meal if going out happens to present itself.
  Fingers crossed. 
Go Make Noise Joggers: no longer available, similar HERE | Tank: similar, HERE | Blazer | Booties | Bag | Sunglasses | Watch | Unintentional accessory: hair elastic

Xo,
T.