October 27, 2009
-
{help?}
We’re supposed to be taking our family (Christmas card) pics tomorrow evening or Thursday.. depending on rain. :/
I was wanting to do navy and browns, with maybe a shot of purple here and there-?
The purple idea is only because I have a cute belt I love…
and Kate has some fun purple shoes.
But we’ll see about the purple, I don’t know…
I think I have everyone else’s outfits together~
Is that totally weird I lay them all out…..
But trying to pull something together for myself tonight left me frustrated!!
I concluded, “I need a girls advice…” {my husband wasn’t any help – he liked them all}
So…. what’s your opinion?
Choice One:
{purple shirt. beige sweater – which I’ll iron. navy skirt
-and very bad lighting in my room}
Choice Two:
{the shirt is more of a taupe.. which I’m not sure blends w/ the browns?
I have a cream shrug I could wear over.. also have the same belt in purple…
gotta love Forever21 – only $3.50}
Choice Three:
{cream shirt. tan jacket. purple flower belt}
And boots or heels?
Thanks to my little photog Kate who took the shots for me~
Look forward to hearing what you think…
a.*edit.{1:30 p.m.} looks like thephotos will be tomorrow instead..
kinda yuck wet weather today from a hard rain last night.
hoping for sunny sunshine tomorrow!
AND.. gives me more time to work on an outfit.
thanks for the help – I’ve gotten some ideas.*
Comments (88)
hey hot momma! i totally need to get a new family portrait of us done. *sigh*
i think choice #2 is the cutest. i love how the belt accentuates you small waist and it’s just got a clean and classic look!
can’t wait to see what the photos turn out like!
I can’t be of much help either, as I like each one. I do like how the broad belt looks on you in #2.
I’ll be different, I really like #3… with boots. Can’t wait to see some of the pictures ya’ll get!
Ohhh, and I wanted to add that I love the kid’s outfit too! So adorable! I think #3 would look super cute with theirs.
Choice 3 with boots
And I LOVE the tan jacket
*loves* #3 w/ boots!!! look forward to seeing the pics.
# 3 and definitely the boots! can’t wait to see the outcome! and, it is so not weird to lay the clothes out…i pretty much do that every saturday night so that my sunday morning is a little less stressful. totally helps me visualize how we’re all gonna look together. have fun with the photo shoot! reminds me that we have got to get ours done before the weather turns too cold to be out with little people.! yikes!
lovely tuesday to you!
Rachel
well, goodness! they’re all super cute, guess Im not much help…ha I really like the sweater in #1, but like they mentioned above, #3 would look cute with the kiddos outfits…..have fun doing pics! We did some on Sunday, now Im trying to decide what Im going to do with them….kinda wanted to make cards this year, but not sure how it’ll work out.
# 3…adorable belt.
i like number two, with heels.
They are all cute but I would pick # 3 with boots!
Hey Amber: love reading your posts. I really like #2 – with boots-classy! Can’t wait to see the pictures. I hope you are doing better. You have been in my thoughts and prayers. I would still love to get together to learn Xanga - I know you are busy though. Anytime, just let me know. Until then, I keep trying to figure it all out. I posted Dolly videos and Videos of Emily from High School Musical on my facebook. Not sure if you have seen them. I picked up a Flip-Video HD which has been WONDERFUL for video taping Emily- great to watch when I want to reminise. Take Care, Susan
I vote for #3 with boots!!
#3 with boots gets my vote! I think your color choice is great and the purple is a nice touch!
I like number 3 with the boots.
I guess Im the odd one out.
I like #1 
For Christmas.
I vote for #3, its adorable!
I know nothing… but I did see it’s supposed to be warm and sunny on Thursday.
#3 with the boots! Not as if you needed my advice on this – everyone else is resounding! Cute belt!!!!!
two, with boots, a jacket might look nice with that outfit too. I like the color choices, I read in one of those “what’s your color?” books, that purple is the one color that is flattering on everybody.
with what you have chosen for the kids and your hubby (love the choices) i think that the first and last outfits are best…i particularly loved the last one and think it would look best. and definately heels
it was fun to have a fashion show…your Kate did a great job (gonna take after her mommy with the awesome photography i think!) hope that you guys have a wonderful time doing the photos for Christmas.
I read your blog some here and there and enjoy it when I do.
Well shucks, I was going to say #2 with heels but I am the odd one out. So go with #3 with the boots. I think it is really cute too.
#3. I scrolled through to see which one I said yummy to, and #3 caught my eye. And no it is not weird to lay them out. It is no different from planning paint colors and laying the floor plan out. I think it is so much fun actually. Can’t wait to see the shots. You are on it. I am wondering if we will get any taken…we shall see.
Blessings friend
#3 with the boots —all the way!
Oh MY!!! Number ONE but with the purple flower belt and with the shoes! Love, GAil p.s. Please, no. It CAN’T be Christmas card picture time already!!!!
I agree with hubby that you look cute in all! My choices are 1 and 3 though. I think #1 looks a bit more romantic and christmassy…with the heels, so first choice. But I love that cute little belt and the boots with 3! Ha, is that helpful?
I totally go with the laying them out…I always did that when there were all of us…now we just have to wing it and see what we get.
I used to lay out the boys clothes the night before too… when they were little. Helped in the morning.
Now I know about asking advice on xanga…I have always said it is hard to just have guys to ask!!
Definitely #3 with the classic heels…. gorgeous and classy… you have lovely style =)
I’m no help. They’re all very nice outfits. I do love boots, though.
#3 with the boots…seems like most of us agree
I agree with most everyone…3 with the boots is my fave
Love how you lay it all out….its the only way to see (shy of having everyone try everything on…together. yeah. like. thats. gonna. happen.) Have a great time with the shoot!
Blessings to you and your family ~
Looks like you got some good comments from others who I am sure are more fashion conscious than I! I think you and your family are so gorgeous — even if you were all wearing burlap bags!
#1 with heels
I’m sure which ever one you pick will look great for the pictures but I do like that wide belt in #2 — probably because I can’t wear wide belts! — too short!!
#3 with boots. all of them looks great and i love the colors you have picked
I pick #2 with the boots, and I think I’d add the little creme shrug over it. I did brown for our fam pics this year, although I wish I’d have layed my husbands shirt out
cause between getting 6 kiddos dressed I let him slip out the door in not my pick of a shirt. Have fun with the photo shoot. Can’t wait to see the results, no matter what you choose it will be great!
#3 with the boots. great choice!
Cute outfits! I think choice 3 would work great with your kids outfits and of course the boots would complete it. I’m sure the pictures are going to turn our great.
They are all very CUTE! But # 3 is my favorite. They laying out is an actual great idea, changing kids over and over…is not!!
Now……I think I need to go shop for some cute clothes, I am needy. 
oh by the way. boots with three is my pick too, and that was before looking at any comments!
#3 is so pretty!! With the boots
Love all the outfits for the kids also!!
LOL! This is so fun…ha! YOU are!
It’s not weird at all, to lay it all out…or maybe I don’t know weird when I see it because I do the same thing!!!
Hmmm, my first thoughts were #3…until I saw that was the popular choice…hmmm…it’s still my pick, altho that wide belt is just lovely. No. Wait. YOU are lovely in that wide belt! In all of the options really!
Thanks for letting us in on this!!!
This is going to be absolutely NO help but here it is.
The wide belt (in my opinion) is a must. LOVE it. I love the top in outfit #1 though. And as far as the shoes, I don’t think you can go wrong with either the heels or the boots. The heels are classic, the boots are “trendy, cute and wintery”. Good luck choosing. I was just thinking this morning about how I’ve got to do the same thing in the next couple weeks.
You guys will look great!
Oh! I do the same thing, when we do family pictures–laying them out, isn’t weird.
I had SO much trouble a few weeks ago choosing outfits…I think I try to be too matchy-matchy. My outfit was my biggest dilemma. I finally had to call over my fashion consultants ( my sisters and my Mom)…they brought more clothes and jewlry. Thank goodness for sisters!! Oh!, and I almost forgot to say which one I liked for you. #3 w/ either shoe–the boots would look more fallish…are Kate and Emma wearing boots w/ their skirts…you could play off what they are wearing…Hmm…curious what you pick, after all these opinions. 
They are all very nice outfits, but my favorite is choice 3. If you wear boots, you’ll look very fall-like. But, if you wear heels, you’ll look feminine and sophisticated. I’m sure either pair of shoes would look great.
I look forward to seeing the pictures!
#3 with boots
I love choice #3 – and I like the boots idea a lot too.
They are all soo cute and I am not a fashion guru but i would pick #3 with boots tho! =)
I like #3 with boots also! I wanted to tell you this in private, but couldn’t see the message when I was typing it, so I’ll just whisper it on here *you can see your bra through the shirt* Maybe that was the look you wanted and if so, that is fine, but didn’t really think that was you. I’m sorry if it offends you that I told you this. I would want someone to tell me! Have fun taking pictures!
@jesusmotherof4 -
ha ha… yes I saw that! and NO – that is not the look I wanted. I just didn’t change it last night when changing outfits – - but I certainly will if I choose the light shirt. not offended at all you pointed that out… it’s a girl thing.
and yes – I’d WANT someone to tell me if I didn’t know. 
#1 classic and clean looking and doesn’t look like you are trying to hard, to be trendy you just are…in that outfit! (looks very jcrew and thats my favorite store….I have never been in forever21 but sounds like you like it and got a good geal on your belt, I have walked past the store but felt to funny gong in because I am 28 LOL and a mother of three! PS with the BOOTS! ~Amanda
#1 with wide belt and boots.
Option 3 looks a little warmer with the cute jacket and boots..you could take a photo with boots and one with shoes ( when your family is all together) and see which photo you like…that’s the great thing about digital cameras…more options.=) ..
I vote for #3. I can’t wait to see the pics!
2 with the boots…. fun!
I like #3 with heels!! I’m sure whichever you choose will look nice.
I like #1 or #3 the best since they look more “fallish”, but I do love the belt of #2 so I might switch the belts
I’d also say definitely boots 
#3 with the boots…definitley. After clicking in the comment button, looks like that is the fav of all the ladies on here! I love your heels, but with the sweaters and cold weather, I think they would look a little out of place. So that’s why I’m going with the boots. And LOVE your belt in pic #3! Have fun taking pics. Are you taking them your self or having someone do it? I think I am going to try to take ours (with me in it)this year. We’ll see what I get. Then I might change my mind!
Been thinking about you alot these days. Are your days happier and easier now after the trials of last month? Lots of love to you!!
#3 with boots! adorable! oh! and i just LOVE what you put together for everyone else too! the girls outfits are just adorable! LOVE the ruffled netting girly-ness.
(of course, fashion is a hobby of mine too).
and….I WILL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE YOUR PICS!!!!
BTW…i always used to lay my girl’s outfits out for them. i loved doing that!~
hope all is well with you! XOXOXOXO
#3 with boots!!
They are all very pretty, I love those wide belts, i have a black patent one I use all the time… But for the pic? My dd15 and dd19 are looking and we are conferring. ; ) Too bad my older dds are out of state….that would add to the fun. My vote is 1 with heels or 3 with boots. Dd19 is 3 with boots for cutesie, or classic with heels. Dd15 says 1 with heels.
I hope you are feeling well these days, I’ve been very metered on xanga lately only reading from my emailed digest and staying away form the universal box, I am such a xanga junky. : P
Hugs, ~Amelia
Didn’t have time to read other people’s choices, but I choose #3. I think the shrug will be something to look back on and you will remember the years those were popular. I like the shoes because you still have pretty legs! Why cover them up with boots???!!!
My only opinion is that I like the wide belt! It shows off your figure…… and the boots. I like that idea.
Hey! ~ do I recognize that middle shirt as the one you bought in D.C. that night?
Looking back again. How about the 3rd outfit with the wide belt? Anyway, I think I may be too late in giving my opinion. o_O
#2 with boots!
Is there any way to combine all three?
I like them all and can’t decide!
I like the first one it seems more festive and I like the heels to go with it. Not weird at all to lay them out most photographers encourage that I think.
#2
decided before i read all the other comments,
#3 with boots, can’t wait to see the pics. We did ours on Sunday and its such a good feeling to have that behind us!!
@goffandfamily -
both girls are wearing flats~ that’s why I wondered if the boots would look too chunky against their “lighter” outfits. what do you think?
@bakersdozen2 -
yup. that’s the one.
@mysweetpeas -
I’m having a friend take them {fingers crossed.. jk. she’ll do great} It’s hard though when you’re the one used to being behind the camera – I think you know what you want/ like and sometimes it’s hard to convey that to someone else. but I tried taking our pics one year and it was cRaziNesS!! I was exhausted from running back & forth.. and you can so see that in the shots!! ha ha~ which is maybe true reality of a homeschooling mom. still.. sometimes you’d like pictures to NOT look realistic.
If you have one of those hand held remotes, that would be perfect. I looked into one and they’re like 200 bucks for my camera! :/
I’m doing good.
thanks for asking… and for your prayers and thoughts during that time. Lots of love back~
seems like the boots option is popular…i think they’re super cute–you may have your photographer snap a few w/ the boots on and a few w/ the heels…and just look and see which you like best and keep them on for the rest…yeah, i can see you point about them drawing atten, if the girls are in lighter outfits—it’s amazing how we complicate things!! it might not even look that way in the pix, but it’s funny how we tend to think of *everything*—-it’s hard to visualize sometimes! can’t wait to see them…i’m sure all your pictures will look fabulous.
megan~
I like #1 – because of the vintage look and you have that going a little with the other outfits – and wear it with the heels. I think simplicity is what you have going with the other outfits and keeping the same look throughout really helps in portraits. Also, depending on what you want this photo for – if you are thinking a wall pictures too – simplicity and staying away from fads is good because in a few years you’ll really like it still – if I do a photo that is less traditional I don’t expect to put it up somewhere to frame because I know in a few years I’ll be like “why the belt?” or “why those shoes?” if I am doing a fun photo just because I like the different stuff, then of course, no worries with staying simplistic or unfad-like. If you want to do the present stylish look (as in #2-3 which are both fun)#3 will give your legs a shorter impression in a photo, and # 2 will make your legs longer in a photo – if you are worried about you looking taller/bigger than your husband, go with the #3, you’ll look shorter. If you don’t care, then go #2 because you will look longer and thinner. heels will make legs look longer, thinner. Boots not so much.Also, long sleeves always help in portraits – I can’t tell you how many times I am in photos or taking them and wish I had worn more sleeve – arms can look bigger than they really are in a photo — long sleeves for a Christmas pic 0r half sleeves are good – short sleeves when other people in the photo may be in sweaters, etc. will not blend in as well –
haha, okay, so you might not have asked for this much advice! I’m sure I am much more picky than most and I notice things no one else does too ! such a bummer way to live sometimes…
Christmas pics though, go with longer sleeves, almost always.
What would number one look like with the jacket? The boots are cool but think heels look best with straight skirts.
Hopefully you’re not as frustrated as ever! LOL.
You’ve got lots of different opinions here. I enjoyed reading through what everyone thought. I think most women enjoy the varying forms of art, which I believe fashion is. It’s only another way to express our creativity and individualism.
Please show us the finished look!
I like them all but #2 is my favorite! I LOVE the belt!
Blessings,
Abigail
http://www.athismercyseat.blogspot.com
#3 with boots. I love the little belt and the jacket. The pictures will be adorable! Love the children’s outfits too!
Ok, Amber, you look totally fab in all of the options, but, I’ll have to go with the group and opt for #3 although, I kinda like the heels…….you’ll look smashing in whatever you wear with your beautiful family! Blessings…
Choice three with the boots would look super cute!
opition 3! and boots!
you can’t go wrong with any of them but wear the boots they’re rockin!
Hi Amber, thanks for stopping by my blog and saying hello! I think all of the outfits are beautiful, but I particularly like #3 with boots. I enjoyed seeing all of the photos. I also lay out my family’s clothes and make sure everything goes together (my son has the same striped sweater!). I look forward to seeing your familly photo
I personally like #2 with heels, but #3 with boots would look very cute with the kids outfits. No, its not weird that you lay the outfits out, my mom does the same thing! = )
Lydia
i like both #2 and #3… and you’ve probably had the pics taken by now!! can’t wait to see
.
~*
Number 3 with the super, super cute belt!!! With boots of course!! And after the picture, you should probably get rid of the belt, it’s more fitting for a Chicago person to wear!!!
Just kidding!!! And no, it’s not weird to lay them out!
@Elizabethmarie_1 -
the belt IS perfect for a Chicago person…
got it at TJ Maxx – they had it in light purple, dark, and teal. it’s been a while back.. but you know how that goes. they might have some at yours!!
then we could match next time we meet up!!
I really like your girls skirts, and pick number three.
Well … I’m just a guy but here goes: #1 has the cleanest look and had you not shown the other outfits, I’d say that would be the go to outfit, particularly if the backdrop is busy (like with a Christmas tree). But … since the others have sweaters and jackets, I’d say you’d match the rest of the family better with #3.