Sleep.

We all need it, but how many of us really get all the sleep that our bodies and brains really need?

Today I am very excited to share my first product review with you!

Marpac's Dohm is the original, most popular all natural, white noise sound machine. Marpac is a company dedicated to sound sleep for the whole family and it was started right here in America over 50+ years ago. Their products have exceptional audio quality, they are durable and easy to use. The company has one goal: to bring serious sleep to millions of people.

My interest in Marpac Sound Machines came about from a business connection I recently made. A Marpac Director of Sales simply asked me if and how he could add value to my business. Upon researching and reading the rave reviews of their sound machines, I was sold. He sent me some additional information about their products and before I knew it, two sound machines were arriving at my doorstep. I have to admit, I was really excited to test them out.

I used the sound machine with my son, as I knew how he slept would give me definitive results. Now that he is in Kindergarten, naps are a thing of the past. It's been that way for most of the year. But last week he caught a cold and he was up a lot at night. So over the weekend I decided to see if he would in fact take a nap to catch up on some of the sleep he had lost. Let me tell you-not only did my little guy take a nap, he slept for 2-3 hours uninterrupted two days in a row! I couldn't believe it!

He has had the same sound machine (two of the same because the first one didn't last) since he was born and I was happy to introduce the Dohm for Baby to him. He immediately knew the difference when I plugged it in and turned it on. "What's that sound?" he asked. "It's your new sound machine." He looked at his old one and then at his new one and flipped the switch. He actually wanted to try it out! I have been using it at night now and he has been sleeping very soundly and waking up in a great mood.

​I also briefly tested the Hushh for Baby and I was very impressed with how powerful it is! Really! And the convenience of being able to take it anywhere and charge it using a USB port is nothing short of amazing for any parent.

​​"Whether for sleep, privacy, concentration, relaxation, or tinnitus relief, Marpac has your sound-masking needs covered. We are the highly recommended sleep & privacy solution for restless babies, snoring partners, loud roommates, noisy offices, anxious pets, and more.

At Marpac, our ultimate promise to you is that we do our best to make serious, high quality, sound machines. With our sound machines, you'll love how you sleep; you'll love how you feel; and you'll love how you live!" ~Marpac website

Have you heard about Pley?

Pley.com is the leading toy subscription service that allows parents to sign up for a monthly membership to receive the most popular toys from companies like Fisher Price, Disney, Lego, American Girl and Vtech without having to purchase them.

I was contacted by a Pley affiliate who very impressed with my blog and she asked if I would like to try a month of Pley at no cost. After learning more about their service and seeing the large selection of toys they have, I knew my son would love it. The affiliate sent me a toy credit and I ordered my son's first Pley Lego set a few weeks ago. I couldn't wait for him to receive his package!

I did not tell my son about his Pley box. It was a complete surprise to him and the day his package arrived, he couldn't wait to open it! He has been building Legos since he was two years old and he has been wanting to build the more advanced sets this year (and it has been costly). Normally he will build his sets on his own, but because there were so many pieces, he wanted me and dad to help him build his tow truck. The build took about an hour and once finished, I had a very happy little boy! The tow truck was missing one wheel, but my son did not seem to mind once we finished and he could finally play with it. We kept his truck for over a month and I sent it back with ease. When Pley sends your toy, they include a shipping label with it so it doesn't cost you anything extra.

Here is how Pley works:

1. Go to pley.com and sign up to create an account
2. Choose your membership plan (Novice or Wizard) and then proceed to pick your first toy
3. Receive your toy and keep it for as long as you would like
4. Send back toys to be cleaned/sanitized and repeat

Aside from saving you hundreds of dollars on toys, reducing household clutter and protecting our planet with fewer toys in landfills, I absolutely love that Pley has a donation program. For every new sign-up, a toy is donated to a child in need. Pley also has an option for you to trade-in your own Lego pieces for toy credit. And during their annual toy drive, your Lego donations are sanitized and delivered to hospitals & sites across the country that support children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) just in time for Christmas. And did I mention that you also have a chance to get free toys by inviting your friends to join Pley as well? Pley is a parent's dream!

And there is even a special bonus for all of my blogger and business friends! Pley has an affiliate program called ShareASale that have money-making benefits for you!

The holidays will be here before you know it. Now is the time to sign up and start saving money!

Are you ready to start Pleying now? Use my personal invite link to get started today! Have fun!

Earlier this week, I shared a blog post "Stories Behind the Portraits" that featured my friend, Nikki Gunter-Richardson, a local photographer and owner of Nichole Lynn Photography. As promised, here is the interview I did with her to learn more about her and her business.

1. Give me some background information ­on yourself and your photography business.
 
My business is Nichole Lynn Photography, my photography studio is focused primarily on women and the relationships that they hold most dear.  I myself am a wife and mother of 2 energetic little boys. I am creative, passionate and dedicated to finding the beauty in the world. I have a deep passion for finding the beauty in others, and helping them to celebrate it.
 
2. What made you decide to become a photographer? Was there a defining moment when you knew?
 
I have always been interested in photography, even as a kid I would save my allowance in order to buy film for my mom’s camera and take as many awful photographs as possible. As I became a mother documenting my children’s lives become more and more important to me and my photography skills began to grow and I was asked by family and friends to start taking their photos as well. I had always wanted to start my business but the time never seemed to be great. But one day I took the leap and decided I could keep talking about it, or I could get it done. Starting m business was therapeutic for me as I was feeling very lost in Motherhood and wasn’t taking any time for me or my need to create, and starting my business gave me an outlet to be me and not just mommy.
 
3. What were the best & hardest parts of starting your business, both personally and professionally?
 
The hardest part for me has been giving myself permission to take the time I need to work on my business. I think that this is a common problem for many women as we feel that we must always be available to our family and to say I need 4 hours today, or I have these sessions today and I’ll be gone all day is hard. Being able to say what my needs are and taking the time for them has been difficult, but my husband has been amazingly supportive and is an equal part of my team, and the mom guilt has lessened over time.
 
4. What did you learn about yourself and your support system while training and starting your business?
 
I learned how little sleep I can actually live on! Running a photography business isn’t as glamorous as one would think. So little of my time is actually spent photographing my clients. I learned how to balance my time better between working on my business and working on my education to take my skills up to the next level.
 
5. What is your niche or specialty? How do potential clients recognize you?
 
My specialty is Women, I love to photograph women. I’ve noticed that women tend to fade into the background once they have children. I find this to be so sad! These are some of the best years of women’s lives and they are hiding from the camera.  I truly believe that all women are beautiful and deserve to be celebrated and photographed for her and her family to enjoy for years. My favorite sessions are generations session where Mom will come in for her daughters, maybe her sister, and her mother and grandmother. These photographs will always hold such a special meaning for the family today and 20 years from now.
 
The bulk of my photography work is women’s portraiture, Family portraits, and Personal Branding/Professional headshots.  My clients recognize my work by my classic and clean style that truly shows who my clients are.
 
6. Describe the photography culture & community in Raleigh and North Carolina.
 
The Raleigh photographers community is amazing. There is an amazing pool of talent in our area for all areas of photography. The best part is, I haven’t met with anyone who wasn’t kind and willing to lend a hand. I have seen on local groups photographers stepping in for each other when equipment fails or someone gets sick. I know I have many that I can ask for a hand with an edit or a question. I think it’s so important to our industry to  create a community and not competition, which I have found to be the case in our area.

7. Where do you see your business in 5 ­years?
 
In five years I hope to see my business continue to grow and I become an area leader in the art of women’s photography.
 
8. What advice do you have for anyone looking to start or revamp their business?
 
Do 3x more planning that you think you need, and really focus on your business skills. Remember a cup cake shot has never failed because they couldn’t make cupcakes. It’s the business side of your business that will make or break you.
 
9. Who do you look up to or admire in the photography and/or art community?
 
One of the photographers that I most admire is Sue Bryce, she is not only an amazing women’s photographer but a gifted educator that teaches the importance of believing in your value and your worth, which I think are words that can benefit any entrepreneur.
 
10. Describe how you balance being a momprenuer (mom + entrepreneur).
 
I think it’s important to set boundaries for both spaces in your life. I have begun scheduling family weekends and TV nights with my husband. While there is always more work to do on my business, I know that keeping my marriage strong and spending quality time with my family is more important. And sometimes it’s okay to admit that you are tired and just need a rest. Building a successful business is a marathon and you won’t reach the end if you burn yourself out in the first year.
 
11. Tell me about your most recent business win.
 
I recently had a client come in for updated business headshots. In speaking with her I found out that she is going through a divorce and has been feeling a little low and down as she is rebuilding her life in her 40’s.  During our wardrobe consultation I convinced her to bring along some sexy dresses from her closet to her shoot. “just for Fun.” After we took her business portraits we took some more glam and sexy portraits. When she came back for her image reveal she was so amazed to herself confident, amazing, and beautiful that she teared up. She told me later that her portrait session with me has been a turning point in her healing process. Knowing that I could bring out the true woman she is and allow her to  reconnect with herself is one of the best parts of my job.

Kristin and Lucia
After being in labor for most of the night with her fourth child, Kristin had about 30 minutes to just enjoy her sweet newborn before her three oldest children got to meet their newest sibling. I love how peaceful baby looks in Kristin’s arms. The Denninger family asked me to document the birth so they could be fully present with one another, and with their children, as they got to know the newest member of their family. I felt so honored to help capture this occasion and to capture this moment of calm for Kristin before the bustling life of a mother-of-four set in.

Kristin came to me last winter for a mother-daughter portrait session. During our pre-session consultation Kristin told me that she and her mother had spent the last few years overcoming some personal struggles. During this time, Debbie’s son passed away unexpectedly. After all these struggles, and Debbie’s sudden loss, the two worked through their grief on a spiritual journey. As a result, the mother and daughter are closer than ever, and look to one another for support and friendship. It was a privilege to meet them, hear their story, and document their beautiful relationship.