This beautiful lady is first known as my good friend and second as an amazing stylist and make-up artist! I was honored to be able to do her personal headshots last year (photo above) and THIS year, she extended a huge favor to me! I have been wanting to collaborate with her for quite some time and last month we put our skills together to work on a shoot! Cristina lent me her amazing styling skills and make-up artistry for a shoot that I did for myself (for my own portfolio as well as for my accessory line). We met on a beautiful day to brainstorm some ideas – I mainly had one idea…BOHO CHIC and we rolled with it! We were incredibly blessed to work with a beautiful model – our gorgeous muse for the day was Miss Alex Kerfoot…a 16-year-old model-in-the-making <—at least if Cristina and I had anything to do about it! LOL!

The following are some tiny sneak peaks of this beautiful shoot. I am nearly finished editing the photos (honestly…very VERY little was done to edit/retouch these photos – Cristina & Alex both deserve the credit for that!!)

Lastly PLEASE if you enjoy Cristina’s work…please visit her Salon in Gilbert, AZ called SALON ALLEGRA (we are in the works to get her up online) – until then, here’s her #602-705-7941 or e-mail her at hcstylist@yahoo.com – you will not regret calling her!!!

<3 you Cristina!!

Onto the photos

I wanted to share an amazing site that I am fully supportive of! This year, I wanted to use my blog more as a place where not only I will share my own personal creativity – but that of others, and in this case not only creativity, but creativity for a cause. Please visit 31 Bits click here to visit their website. 31 Bits uses fashion and jewelry to help displaced women in Uganda earn an income, provide for their families, and learn a trade. I am ALL about their mission (and was toying with a very similar idea a few years back with some women in the Philippines) – so this cause is very near and dear to my heart. All of their jewelry is 100% recycled – which makes it even more awesome! Some of their pieces can be found in shops around the country, or you can host your very own house party showcasing their jewelry, mission, and stories. So please do visit 31 Bits and tell your friends about it! <3 Sarah Bel

Meet Jack Benjamin Gray – our amazingly beautiful little boy. He was born 10/11/2010 at 4:32 pm – after a very short labor (my water broke at 9am, we were at the hospital and I was in bed by 10am, contractions started, epidural was put in place around 11:30, pushing began at 1pm – halted for about 45 mins since my Doctor was on the other side of town – haha , then after a couple hours…our gorgeous 8lb 7oz miracle was born).

So, long story short…my silence has been due to the fact that for the past five months – my husband and I have been relishing every single moment raising and loving on our son. Parenthood is, in short, pretty amazing! We have been through the sleepless nights (seems like only yesterday) – and now we’ve settled into a nice routine. He’s a wonderful baby – always happy, always ready to smile and laugh, never too fussy (he only whines or cries if he really needs something ie: I’m dirty, I’m hungry, I’m tired, I’m bored…seriously And all in all – we have been blessed with an amazingly beautiful child. Sometimes I sit here and watch him sleep or play or laugh and coo and I think to myself…’I cannot believe he’s really mine!’

So, there you have it – yes, I will be back to blogging what randomness I have for the day, sprinkled with some great photos and or musings I have about life as a mom, and of course more of my creative projects (photography, art, jewelry making, etc), and the occasional rant or rave about any particular subject. For now, I simply leave you with one of my favorite photos from the past five months

Jack at 3 weeks

THIS AMAZING THING!!! THE NIKON D700 and the full outfit I wanted for it (for now, haha) – it’s finally here and complete and my heart is swollen with happiness! You can call me silly, but I’m really excited to get to learning my new camera, lenses, and all it’s bells and whistles. I rented this camera a few times in the past for various photo shoots – to be SURE that this was the one I wanted and to be sure that I could handle a piece of equipment as big and expensive as it is (my arm  muscles are gonna rock after a few shoots! lol), and indeed I am completely and totally happy with this upgrade! So, I’m looking forward to learning all about it and capturing more new memories!!!!

TAA DAA!!

Hey guys! So, again it’s been a while since I’ve been on here – anyhow, I just wanted to post a quick update on life…first of all, please check out my new website (things are STILL in the works, but I’ve got a little thing going on, and I’d love to hear some feedback).

Second, on the site – you will notice that I’m running a new SUMMER Photo Promotion – 10% off your session if you book between JULY 1st and SEPTEMBER 1st. That’s off ANY of the photo sessions (excluding weddings). I know it’s CRAZY hot here right now, and it’s probably the last thing on your mind to go traipsing around taking photos in the 100 degree weather – but to try and save you a little moolah – I thought I’d run a little special. The fall and winter months get booked up pretty fast (with people getting ready for Christmas Cards), so take advantage of the promo and you’ll get a great deal and some fun pics too!

And lastly – another photo-giveaway is in the works for the Summer months. If you go to my site under the CONTACT page and fill out your info…the first TWO blog readers that e-mail me with the promo code JUNEBLOG in the comment field will receive a FREE 60 minute photo session !! Your session will include sitting fees for up to 4 people, a print release, and a disk with 30-40 high-res photos for your viewing pleasure!

So, mosey on down to my website and check out www.sarahbelgray.com

TEENS: Teenage girls have ALL the right to try the latest trend and run with it! That’s the beauty of being a teenager. So, in your teens go for a look that’s more trendy and up-to-date…straight off the manequin at your favorite store and accessorize with bright, bold colors. I chose to suit my trendy teen in a pair of gray-ish acid wash shorts and topped it off with a slouchy button-down with a statement tee underneath. Layering is your friend, so try it out! Shoes and baubles are bright and loud just like the rocker chick you are – and a smaller cross-body purse is perfect for all your essentials!

TWENTIES: In your twenties, there’s a lot of leway to continue on the trendy train however, with a more sophisticated vibe. I outfitted this fashionista in a pair of slimming and body hugging dark-washed jeans that sit right at her hip-line.  Topped off with a beautiful floral and lace cami and a comfy button-down. Her shoes are retro 40′s looking Louboutins so they have a throwback vibe with a modern twist. Her color palette is a lot more subdued than the gal in her teens, but her accessories are still trendy and up-to-date, just a bit more sophisticated. Her purse is another vintage type item – yet the whole look still screams young, hip, and ultra modern.

THIRTIES: The time for an all-over trendy look is officially out for the more mature woman in her thirties. This does not by any means say that it’s time to throw on the mom jeans and frumpy looks. Absolutely not…the woman in her thirties has so much more fashion to play with and in most cases can spend a little extra dough on her clothing to get better quality pieces that will last a life-time. She’s wearing a great pair of straight-legged dark washed jeans. Skinny jeans and jeans tattered with holes should be donated to your little sister by now. A killer pair of straight-legged jeans will make you look longer, leaner, and more put-together. The rise on your jeans now should be more mid (around 2-3 fingers lower than your belly button) this helps flatten your tummy and avoids any possible panty peek-a-boos when you’re bending down to pick up your little one. Also, a side note…it’s time to start wearing ‘women’s’ sizes now – if your pants are labeled with an ODD numer (1, 3, 5, etc) those are “junior” sizes – EVEN numbered sizes (0, 2, 4, 6) are considered women’s sizes, which you should now be wearing 100% of the time. These are cut more appropriately for a woman’s shape!! The blouse I chose for a gal in her thirties is less form fitting and flows away from the mid-section and instead of layering underneath – we’re now layering over your blouse with a navy cropped blazer that hits right at your hip. Your accesories are much more sophisticated now, a colorful clutch, a gold and precious stoned ring, a great pair of designer glasses, and a bright shoe will take your look and bring you more modern. The way to stay on trends when you’re in your thirties is to do it through your accessories. Stick to more classic cuts when it comes to your clothing, but feel free to experiment away with your accessories!!

FORTIES and Beyond: The mature fashion-forward woman is on the rise! Women in their forties and beyond still want to dress like the age they feel and I’m ALL for it! This woman however is not about the trends or about the fleeting moments in fashion. A classic lady all the way – she screams put-together and well versed in fashion. Her look is always clean and sophisticated. Her jeans are, like the gal in her thirties, a great pair of straight-legged jeans – however with the rise up to her natural waist. Her blouse flows gracefully away from her not-so-favorite parts of herself, and she’s chosen a great berry colored jacket to top off her look. The quality of her clothing is much higher than every before, beacause she enjoys the comfort and the life-span of each piece. She doesn’t shy away from bright colors as you can see by her killer yellow-leather purse, but the style is more appropriate for a woman her age. Her accesories are minimal, yet each one still has a purpose to her look. She’s polished and put-together and every other gal respects her for her great fashion sense.

1. A GREAT suit: The example below is a tailored 3 piece suit in gray. This suit is quite literally one of the MOST flattering suits on a guys body for 3 reasons. 1) the Color - spring looks tend to gear toward the lighter side and for spring, a gray suit is perfect for any semi-formal occasion. The black suit is great for night-time events, winter/fall, etc – and in my opinion it’s great to have BOTH these suits in your wardrobe. 2) the FIT – fit is everything when it comes to a great suit. It costs a bit more to have your suit tailored perfectly to your body, but I’m tellin’ ya it’s SO worth it. You can definitely buy your suit off the rack then take it to a reputable tailor where they will fit the suit and tailor it to your body. 3) The “look” – suits, like all clothing go through trends. It’s most likely as a guy, that you will have to invest in a great suit every couple years in order to keep up with today’s styles. Today’s suits are trending toward the more fitted looks, straight legs, and very minimal lines. When choosing a suit, try on a bunch of different looks and if you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

2. A hat (other than a baseball cap): Most guys throw on a baseball cap and call it day. Now, I’m not by any means saying to throw out your favorite ball cap…my husband holds on to one he’s had for almost fifteen years (kinda dingy in my opinion, but I totally understand the sentimental value)…but for other days just TRY throwing on a different kind of headpiece. Currently, I’m digging the straw fedora look. It’s super perfect for spring and summer and it’s not at all unmasculine. I mean, come on – this hat was made popular by the gangsters of yester-year…so don’t go saying that it’s not manly enough! Pick one up and throw it on a casual outfit of jeans and a tee! The thing about a great hat is all about the fit – you may even find yourself trying on a handful of the same style before you find the right one for your noggin. Don’t give up hope, keep trying them on till it fits snugly without any bumps or lumps!

3. A man-bag: don’t knock it till you try it!!! This is becoming a fast trend among men these days. With the trend in men’s jeans and pants getting slimmer, that means much less pocket room. And, with the influx of all sorts of electronic gadgets (iPods, iPads, your cell-phone, keys, your kindle, sunglasses, etc, etc) the guy has almost as much stuff to carry on his person as us ladies…and NO we don’t LOVE carrying all your junk in our purses! Have you seen the size and felt the weight of our purses? We don’t need a couple more pounds of stuff to put in there…so with that, I introduce you to the man-bag. This is NOT a murse, or a “european-carry-all” – (though the boys in Europe did get it right about 20 years ago)…bags come in ALL shapes an sizes, but my favorite is a sort of take on the messenger bag. It’s much smaller, slimmer, and less bulky as the messenger bag. And it comes in all colors of canvas, suede, and leather. It’s a great size for all your manly accessories, but it’s still sleek enough that it won’t look purse-y. You can pick up some great economically friendly ones at Target or the mall, or opt for more higher end ones that may last you a bit longer and are more durable.

4. Fitted Tees: This one, of my list, is quite literally the most simple to wear/find. Every guy should have great fitted tees. Now, some guys might be a little self conscious, which is understandable, BUT I’m not talking about skin-tight t-shirts. A fitted tee is pretty basic – they come in a plethora of colors…but the key is that the this t-shirt is cut to hang closer to your body than most. Still loose in all the right places, the fact that this shirt fits better than the traditional t-shirt will actually make you look skinnier and NOT boxy or round like a regular tee might…Many places carry this type of shirt for guys and it’s the easiest thing to throw on your look and look put-together for a casual day out. They come in solids, stripes, and even screenprints (though I recommend staying away from the busy prints as they are UBER trendy and will not last long at all) – a simple basic fitted t-shirt will go a long way. And if you purchase one that is a little more pricey, you will get a better fit and better quality stitching and fabric that will last you a long time. My favorite fitted tee shirts come from Banana Republic – my husband has tons of these in solid colors and they have lasted him years and not loosen, faded or frayed.

5. Fitted Jeans: along the same lines as the fitted tee – fitted jeans are a must for every man. You may be noticing a trend in my choices – but it’s so true that the more tailored and fitted you clothes are – the more put together you look, the leaner your look, and the taller you look too. A great pair of straight legged jeans will go a long way. The straight look is pretty simple. The jean is cut to be “straight” from your hip and inseam down to the ground. This is not boot cut and definitely NOT skinny. It hits right at the top of your shoe without too much extra fabric bunched up around your feet. My favorite straight legged jean comes from the father of all jean-companies LEVIS and it’s the 514. You can pick up the 514 in all kinds of washes and in many stores that carry LEVIS. Khols, Tillys, Urban Outfitters, and your local department stores all carry this style. Certain stores carry specialty washes (colored washes, grays, and darker washes), so you’ll have to shop around to find the right pair. If you start with a dark blue wash (all one wash, not faded) you can’t go wrong. Then add a lighter wash for more casual days, a black jean, and gray jean and you should be good for quite some time! And a huge bonus – LEVIS last for a LONG long time!!

6. A pair of sunnies: Sunglasses are essential not only for the benefit of your eyes, but a great pair can go a long way! Below are the uber trendy Ray Ban Wayfarers – popular in the 80′s, they made there way back on the market and on faces of the trendy guys and gals in past few seasons. You’re most definitely not limited to these alone, but as an example – these glasses are not only durable, but they come in so many colors! A simple black pair will go a long way, but if you feel like getting a little colorful, go for it!!!

7. A grooming tool: I don’t feel like I NEED to go into great detail about this one…get one of these…They are seriously one of the coolest things invented! Keep your mustache, beard, facial hair, eyebrows, and sideburns trimmed all with one tool. And the kit comes with a guard for when you tackle taming the brows…use it and love it! Trust me…we (ladies) thank you in advance for using this!

8. A good coat: I know it’s spring, and summer is on it’s way – and you’re probably asking me why I put up a COAT for your essential wardrobe must-haves. BUT You can buy a great quality one right now for a super deal!! I really like military jackets on the guys. They are cut extremely well for man’s physique and they will flatter most if not all guys. They come in heavy cotton for spring and summer or in wool for the fall and winter months. This is a great investment to make – when/if you find a great coat that fits right (shoulders, arm length, and overall length) then snatch it up and enjoy it for years to come! Shoulders should sit either right at or just slightly over your natural shoulder line (so you can layer in the cooler months), arm length when at your sides – the end of the arm should be right at your thumb knuckle – extend your arms out to make sure they don’t go past your wrists, and overall length – the coat should hit right below your natural hip line. If you have questions about it – take a well-versed girlfriend, wife, or buddy with you or ask your friendly sales associate!

9. Casual Sneakers: Now, you’re not at all limited to the examples below – these are simply sneakers that I have found that suit pretty much every guy who wears them. Converse started a really good thing decades ago when they introduced the Converse All-Star and the Jack Purcell. These two pairs of sneaks are quite versatile and go with almost every casual outfit that a guy can think of. They also both come in quite an array of colors and even distressed looks and special edition. I whole heartedly believe there is a pair of Converse out there for every guy. They take a little longer to break in, but when you do – you’ll be loving these shoes! These casual sneakers are an awesome alternative to running shoes, basketball shoes, etc – these are called just that because of their purpose (ie: for RUNNING or playing sports)…keep them on the court or on the track and when you’re out and about opt for more casual and stylish sneaks!!

10. Cologne: Yeah, another no brainer – but guys…this one is a biggie, in my opinion. I know there are a lot of men out there who prefer eau du moi (scent of me), but I recommend at least just a dash of cologne. Don’t go spraying a big cloud of it!! Ugh. When choosing the right scent – if you have a lady in your life…TAKE HER WITH YOU…when you go searching. It’s utterly important that she like what you wear. There are all sorts of scents out there, and your local fragance counter associate will be able to determine the best one for your lifestyle. A little tip, don’t spray on your clothing – instead, after your morning shower and shave lightly spray a little on your chest and neck (a couple squirts will do – you should be “smellable” a couple feet away- NOT from across the room) and THEN get dressed. Cologne on your clothing could damage them and if you spray it on your body instead, over the course of the day the scent will mix with your natural “odor” (I mean that in a good way) and it will become your personal scent. Ask the fragrance guru for samples of different cologne to take home and try before you commit to one. Try a new one each day and by the end of that day you’ll know whether or not that one is the “the one”

Enjoy the tiny *tiny* glimpse into this beautifully colorful shoot! More much more to come! <3 Happy Friday!!

There are a lot…A LOT…of different ways to wear a sundress that suit every woman. So, to get you on the fast track to spring. I present to you my FAVE-FIVE  sundress styles.

Number 1: With Leggings and a LIGHT sweater. One of the best ways to transition into Spring from the dreariness of winter is to take a flowy sundress and pair it with a pair of dark leggings and top it with a nice airy and light sweater. When the weather isn’t QUITE warm enough to show off your fabulous shoulders. Here’s an example

Number 2: A sundress with a belt…There area so many cute sundress out there…and sometimes you fall in LOVE with a print, and not so much with the shape. Or sometimes you find a GREAT dress that is just a bit too big on you (when you shop thrift – like I do – this is one of my favorite quick and easy fixes to a garment that’s too big). Take a skinny belt (preferably) and position it right at your natural waist-line. Cinch nice and snug (but not TOO tight) and voila!

Number 3: The Sundress and CowGIRL boot combo. This one can have the tendency to look a little TOO westernish if you let it. First, pick a boot that isn’t necessarily meant to be a cowboy boot. There are some excellent finds out there that have the same general shape as the traditional cowboy boot, but have a little touch of modern flair. Usually, not found in your local western wear store…IF you ARE going to wear a real cowboy boot, then prepared to drop some serious dough for a great pair. Many western shops carry boots specially for women that are meant to be stylish – I spent a good $300 on my “real” pair of boots – but if that will break the bank for you…I found a GREAT deal at a bargain store that was faux leather for only $29.99 (FYI: I wear this pair WAY more often) !! So, after you choose the right boot – take a flirty and fun frock – the lighter the fabric the better – and the more colorful the better too, as the color and texture will offset the heaviness that is the boot. Pair them together and wear them with pride! For my AZ friends out there, this one is easily done out west…as we all “should” own a pair of boots, right?!? Maybe that’s just my notion. LOL!

Number 4: Topped with Denim! That’s right…bring back the 80′s…err..well, kind of. The Denim jacket has made it’s way back onto the shelves and is currently a fun staple for your spring wardrobe. The key is to finding that ‘perfect’ fit, though. It can be uber tricky and it all depends on the woman’s bodytype. I personally am not a fan of the cropped-denim look. You know, the one we all sported about 8 years ago? This one is REALLY hard to pull off, unless you are six feet tall and have a washboard stomach. The cropped jacket tends to put a whole lot of emphasis on certain areas of our bodies that we’re not too fond of, so for now – leave that one in the closet…or donate it. The key is to finding the right wash for you. The traditional jean jacket comes in a medium wash – some washed out more than others and it sits RIGHT above your natural hips. Pair this lovely jacket with a flowy, light dress and your favorite heels, flats, or boots and you’re ready for spring! Or try  a new fave of mine…I loved the longer blazers that made their debut this fall – but try a DARK denim blazer for the evenings on top of your flirty sundress!

Number 5: And quite possibly my favorite…the VINTAGE sundress. One of my absolute favorite finds when I’m out at vintage clothing shops and thrift stores is a great sundress. Some of my favorite cuts come from the 60′s 70′s and even the 80′s! When you do come across a vintage find, scoop it up fast and accessorize it suit your personal style. There are a lot of great, figure flattering silhouettes that were made in the past – the key is to finding ones in breathable and natural fabrics. If you do find one…it will quickly be one of your FAVORITE dresses to wear. Guaranteed!