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  • Hello, friend! Thank you for being here.

    OH my goodness, are we excited you stopped by!
    <------That's my oldest little bit over there. She's excitable, like her mama. The apple doesn't fall far. Except she's blonde and has that rockin' dimple on her chin, she got from the Mister. My dimples are in other places and on good days I have only one chin, but yeah. We're a lot a like. We love to have fun, be together with the fam, take pictures, CREATE (we're crafty like that), be dorks, have dance parties, Matilda Jane Clothing, laugh, laugh at ourselves, cook, eat, LOVE, pray, SHARE, and make new friends. And a lot of the time we're doing all of those at the same time! I am a Jane of all trades, master of none. I am always looking for sunshine and easily amused. I am usually unpredictable, mostly energetic to a fault, quirky and sometimes a bit eclectic, and darn right fun to be around... so I've been told.

    Old friends, new friends, friends we have yet to meet-we like them! So come hang out here for some gettin' real, gettin' personal, maybe a little gettin' real personal. We'll play games, talk some shop, kick up our feet, and have a generally good time. You'll definitely get to know more about me in my REM-deprived ramblings. {I can't be held responsible for how those ramblings look on any given day} And I hope I get to know a LOT more about you by YOU chatting and maybe getting to know your heart and soul by making pictures together. Wouldn't that be a blast? Then you can see what happens when we take what makes you OH-so-unique, add me bustin' a move with my camera, "Beast", and have fun capturing what makes YOU SHINE! This is NOT yo' mama's photography. We could leave a mark on this world- yours, mine, ours... together. Happy day.
    This is me. I can't be anything different than who I am.
    Making pictures... making friends.
    LET IT SHINE! ;)

Matilda Jane Rocks ::Meet the Band:: {part deuce}

:::MATILDA JANE PHOTO LOVE CONTEST:::

Vote here for “CHEEKY”

Seeing this vison that had been swirling around in my head for months come to life, was an amazing experience.

The words “Matilda Jane Rocks” that appear every time I go to open the MJC blog in my browser, had

really been beat into the walls of my brain.

But It didn’t take any subliminal messages to get me to believe it.

Oh no.

This clothing line was love at first sight and heart skipping goodness.

So I knew I had to take what encompasses MJC for me and GO BIG or GO home.

Rockin, sophisticated, colorful, and a wee bit cheeky is how my girls roll.

And we took that all and threw it into several M. Jane’s Addiction photo shoot installments.

My good friend’s, Jen and Amy, were THE best on set crew I could ask for.

They were calming and patient and knew what to do before I even said it.

We could read each other’s minds.

It doesn’t hurt that they enjoy a lovely thing as much as I do.

Including lovely little girls, lovely MJC and lovely things.

Match made in heaven.

Then there were the girlies.

What rockstars!!!

And I don’t mean rockstars in the egotistical way we see with Hollywood “stars” today.

I mean in the shiniest true shining STAR way possible.

The kind that can change the world.

They are truly bright spots and know how to let it shine!!!

It gives me hope for the future and warm fuzzies to think of how these little stars will shine as they grow.

They will rock forever… partly because Matilda Jane helped them dance with childhood a wee bit longer.

We rocked it until the sun went down.

Our little rockstars had rocked and danced their little hearts out…

to blissful exhaustion.

{can you see the full moon peeking through the trees?)

Let it shine,

Dana

April 20, 2011 - 12:53 pm

admin - That just makes me blush, my friend!!! So sweet and means so much coming from you! You are such a great supporter, cheerleader, friend! Thank you for it!!! And all that you said, same goes for you too! Smooches. xoxo

April 16, 2011 - 2:32 pm

Marcel - Girl, you amaze me! I’m so proud of who you are, where you’re going with your passion, making your dreams happen, and being to have you in my life!

March 20, 2011 - 8:48 pm

admin - p.s. I’m going to start calling you the O.G. baby for being the “original” awesome one. I know you know what that means… if not, hit me up. 😉

March 20, 2011 - 8:46 pm

admin - Jill. Thank you so much. Those words you just said mean a lot and I’ve discovered are more important than any winning at this point. I’m so grateful you recognize the heart and soul I put into it because that’s all that matters in the end. I’m not going to win and I can be okay with that knowing I did my best and learned and grew from it all… well and of course had a blast!!! Thank you so much, dear. Rooting for you, because you are in the race, girl! loves. p.s. That Jane Party comment is just so nice. 😉 xo

March 20, 2011 - 8:28 pm

Jill Hurst - D…this one of ms k needs to be blown up way way way big…such a beautiful creation! I’ve so enjoyed your MJane Addiction fairytale. Amazing! Good luck with the contest…you really have put your heart and soul into this! :) The girls who won the Party Like a Jane Atlanta are going to be blown away! :)

Matilda Jane Rocks ::Meet the Band:: {part uno}

:::MATILDA JANE CLOTHING PHOTO LOVE:::

“M.JANE’S ADDICTION” PHOTO SHOOT

TOP TEN entry

“CHEEKY”


They are sophisticated, colorful, and a wee bit cheeky

They love late night jam sessions and all day MJC fashion shows…

They rock the mic and sing at the top of their lungs like no one is listening…

{You can see how the MJC gals were spot on calling my entry “CHEEKY”}

They are bosom friends and born to shine

They can bring down the house with the wink of an eye or twirl of their skirt…

Their smiles can light up a room and bring sunshine on a cloudy day…

They are a little bit country and a little bit rock ‘n roll

They are giggly and sweet and love to be girls...

The always unpredictable…

The one.

The only…


M|Jane’s

addiction


Band members Kate, Lillie, and Lucy rockin’ the house!!!


MATILDA JANE ROCKS!!!!

Cheeky-Cheeky

Top Ten things about the band:

1.  They have been caught stealing... my heart.

2. STOP people in their tracks.

3.  Live off of chocolate ice cream cones and fizzy, sweet drinks.

4.  Write cheeky songs, but are always classic girls.

5.  Hit songs like “Baby Got a Joey Bag”, “Good Morning Sunshine” and “Not Yo’ Mama’s Yama”

6.  They collect Ruffles and buttons and knots, oh my!

7.  They keep it real, keep it fun, and keep it real fun.

8.  Of course, they can Do no wrong.

9.  They have Ocean size love for friends, life, and Matilda Jane clothing.

And last but not least…

they believe MATILDA JANE ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!


M.Jane says...


VOTE for US!!!!

{please and thank you} 😉


:::LET IT SHINE:::


Thank you to Annie at Paint the Moon Photography for the gorgeous Simply Vintage blog frames!

Thank you to Aperturent for my 85mm 1.2 rental for some of these shots.  Yummy!


Let it shine,

Dana

March 18, 2011 - 11:57 am

admin - Thank you, Angie!!! I will not be held responsible for Jane’s Addiction songs being stuck in your head… oh, wait… yes I will! But that’s a good thing , right? Wait, are you even old enough to remember them? You seem so young and vibrant! lol 😉 Thanks again, friend!!! 😉 xo

March 18, 2011 - 11:55 am

admin - Thank you, dear!!! 😉 xoxo Miss chatting.

March 18, 2011 - 10:24 am

Angie Dewey - That was such a fun post to read and the photos of those sweet, cute girls has me smiling from ear to ear!!

March 18, 2011 - 1:28 am

Sandi - So amazingly darling!

March 17, 2011 - 10:56 pm

admin - Jill the Pill!!! Big, big thanks, sistah!!! You’re going to be singing Been Caught Stealing the rest of the night aren’t you??? LOL So, come take a gander inside my head anytime. And I wish I was in your head right now to hear what your little man said about my girl… haha…intrigued!!! I read this to my Mister and we both busted up!!! Thanks again “Original” girl! 😉 xo

March 17, 2011 - 10:51 pm

admin - OH. MY. GOOD. NESS!!!! Those are some ooey gooey words, my friend!!! You just gave me my third set of tears for the day. SO SWEET!!! We had such a blast on this shoot!!! I thank you from every part of my little heart, Lisa!!! MWAH! 😉

March 17, 2011 - 10:33 pm

Lisa - oh my goodness, so dang clever. And for real, that set is SO beyond the imagination of anybody else I know! And I like to think I know some creative people. LOVE it doesn’t even cover it.

March 17, 2011 - 10:32 pm

Jill Hurst - OK… you are crazy creative girl…so so so darling! I looooove mjane’s addiction! I want to take a visit inside that genius little head of yours! Let’s for sure for sure for sure get together after your little buttercup gets better! Please remind me to tell you what my older one had to say about your middle one…or maybe it was the look on his face! Tell Mr O he needs to gear up…

March 17, 2011 - 9:55 pm

admin - Thank you my dear, sweet friend!!! D and gang are so inspiring and so are you! Best TK out there, I’m sure of it!!! Thank you, doll! 😉

March 17, 2011 - 9:51 pm

admin - Oh my goodness, girl!! Such an unexpected and sweet comment!!! I’m a little bias, so when others feel like I do, it’s a nice feeling. But I must say, all of the pix are so great. Lots of inspiring talent out there!!! Thanks, hon! Smiles!!! 😉 xo

March 17, 2011 - 9:49 pm

admin - Well, hello there, sunshine! Thank you, sweets. I hope you are loving every minute of your family time!!! I miss you, but it makes me smile when I think of you being together and having some down time. Hooray!!! XOXO right backatchya!!!

March 17, 2011 - 9:47 pm

admin - So did you see that? Do you see how you just made me smile just now?
That is magic. I’ll give it back to you and you see what you can do with it, k?
I’ll feel it. If you can make me smile in your darkest days, I can’t even imagine
what you can do on your brightest. Wow.
No, I just adore you. xo

March 17, 2011 - 9:34 pm

valerie - Adore.

Oh my gosh …

Just Adore.

March 17, 2011 - 9:24 pm

nia - Okay……you amaze me girl!!!!! Totally creative and awesome!!!! a

March 17, 2011 - 9:22 pm

Keri - Your pic was my FAVE by far!!! I voted for it today! Love seeing the whole shoot; the theme is perfect…best of luck to you!:)

March 17, 2011 - 9:00 pm

jami - You’ve got MY vote, sister!! Love the entire shoot. Beautiful job, full of creativity and spunk. Couldn’t help smiling through the entire post. XOXO

::Let the {SUN} shine in:: I Heart Faces Photo

Mmmmmm.  Sun.

Coming through a window or through the trees.

Or hitting your bare skin on a warm day.

Perfect timing for I Heart Faces to be having a sunflare challenge when my Matilda Jane Photo Love Contest shoot had so many.

So this will be a little sneak of more to come.

And don’t forget to look out for the upcoming vote of the Top Ten!

My entry is {CHEEKY}

Forget the cold, cold rain today.

You can still make it a bright

bright

bright

bright

sunshiney day.

Choose to shine!!!!

Dana

I Heart Faces - Photography Challenges and Photo Tutorials

Go enjoy more shots all about the sun at I Heart Faces.

Let it shine,

Dana

March 16, 2011 - 11:08 pm

admin - Thanks, sweets! I’m going to need it! 😉 And thanks on the pic-this was one of my top 4 to enter. It was so hard to decide. Hope you’re well friend. Let’s get that giveaway going soon!!! 😉 xo

March 16, 2011 - 10:08 pm

Angie Dewey - Gorgeous photo!! Good luck in the photo love contest!

March 16, 2011 - 6:50 pm

nottsosoft - Oh my… I love love love this! Like previous posters stated, it takes me back to my youth!

March 15, 2011 - 10:15 pm

admin - Thanks, Rachal!!! 😉

March 15, 2011 - 9:51 pm

Rachal Brown - What a beautiful picture! :)

March 15, 2011 - 9:47 pm

admin - LOVE your comment too, Leslie! That is some great imagery I hadn’t related it too! Thank you!!! 😉

March 15, 2011 - 9:45 pm

admin - LOVE IT!!! That is a great memory spark! Shine on, soul sistah! 😉

March 15, 2011 - 7:46 pm

leslie - this is a folksy alice in wonderland dream come true! gorgeous!

March 15, 2011 - 7:17 pm

Jessica Deane - This so takes me back to my childhood days… and the concerts I wouuld put on for my family :)

{Namaste}

To those who opened your hearts and souls to Val Koop and her chickens…

I honor you.

I thank you.

Amazing friends and friends I have yet to meet, from all over,

gave in many ways to this cause.

To this little family just trying to pick up the pieces in their small corner of the world.

I know you have filled Val’s cup.

But I’m positive that it was my cup, and

those who rallied together, that was filled more.


To overflowing.


Everything I do that focuses on ME seems wrong these days.

I have tasted more of what it means to lose yourself to find yourself, and I like it.

I want more.

{it’s a year of more, remember?}


Thank you.

We did this together.

Thank you Val, for giving us a gift in your time of need.

Jami and Denise… I honor you and thank you too…

for being you.

That is a very good thing to be.


Keep shining,


Dana

Let it shine,

Dana

March 15, 2011 - 3:58 pm

admin - No, thank YOU, Angie!!! My part was small. I was just glad to feel a part of something bigger than myself. It inspired me in a big way too.
So much love to be had in this world if we just open up to it. I want to do MORE!!! Cheers to doing more! 😉

March 15, 2011 - 3:55 pm

admin - Nothing wrong at all.
We’ll keep helping you find it.
The day you start finding it for yourself
will be magical. And you will. Find more pretty.
You have such beautiful people around you. I know you know that.
I wish I could do more, but I hope my small offering is plenty for you.
Prayers and thoughts and healing wishes to the sky for you, dearheart.
smooches. XOXO

March 15, 2011 - 3:49 pm

admin - You are amazing to say that, BrookieLou. I hardly did a thing-wanted to do more!!! 😉 It was Denise and Jami who worked their hinies off!!! 😉 It was a good thing to a be asmall part of, that’s for sure! Love you! xo

March 15, 2011 - 2:25 pm

brooke - you are so amazing to give of yourself dana.. i love this.

March 15, 2011 - 12:22 am

Angie Dewey - Beautiful quote by Shakespeare! I ditto everything you said. It’s amazing to see so many loving and giving woman reaching out and helping a woman they might never meet. It inspires me. Thank you.

March 15, 2011 - 12:21 am

Angie Dewey - Beautiful quote by Shakespeare! And I ditto everything you said. So wonderful to see so many loving and giving women helping out a woman that they might never meet. It inspires me. Thank you.

March 14, 2011 - 10:29 pm

Valerie - XOXO.

Such a pretty picture. Nothing wrong with a little pretty in this world.
Thank you for helping me find mine.

XOXO.

House of Koop… welcome, sunshine.

It is here.

The House of Koop

Koop = |kōp|= cope

At this time I am going to let the words of Jami Davis

(below) speak for themselves.

And invite you all to come inside…

let the prettiness of all the lovelies

fill your eyes…

and the goodness of all the giving

fill your heart.

And the strength of rallying together

fill your soul.

Let the sun shine through,

Dana

Doors will open the morning of Monday, February 28th

Come on in and make yourself at home… while you help make a home.

Val thanks you for coming.

{After you read this, see below for a sampling of some of the amazing donations up for grabs}

{Get there directly by clicking on this banner}

I’d like to give a HUGE shout out to all those who donated!!!

The stellar showing of cuteness, generosity, heart, and rallying together astounds me at this time!!!

I would like to personally thank and give big virtual SMOOCHES to my friends

Tyler & Wendy Whitacre of Blue Lily Photography,

Ree Drummond-the Pioneer Woman,

Mindy Gledhill (singer/songwriter),

Annie of Paint the Moon Photography,

Jenn of The Blueberry Hill,

Andee of Crave Photography,

Taryn of Studio 16 Designs,

Kelly Stocksen Photography,

and last, but certainly not least

Jami Davis and

Denise of Matilda Jane Clothing… these women are

unstoppable—makin’ goodness happen!!!

Let it shine,

Dana

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