Family Pic Planning

It's that time of year again, family pictures. Not that we have an official time of year, I've only arranged real fam pics for us twice, but I'm trying to get on it so we can have some every year. I like theme-ing our pics, it's just fun for me. The only problem is there are so many ideas, and if I were an artist I could just draw them out and paint us in, but seeing as I need to go out an look for outfits and props--it makes for a big ordeal. And I'm on a bit of a timeline.

My photog friend said she was already booked up for the next little while and warned us that if we wanted to do pics in San Fran (yes), then I should do them soon before it gets too cold and the kids are fussy, irritable, cranky during it. And Josh. He hits his max after about 5 pics.

I went shopping the other day for an hour--which meant I thought it would be purely inspirational as I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to do. I'd tossed a bunch of ideas around in my head and figured I'd go with whatever outfits seemed easiest this time. At first I wanted to go really glamorous Hollywood style with my blonde hair and work around that idea. My friend said we could borrow their convertible (I'd thought about renting) and wanted to find a bunch of palm trees and beach, but I couldn't think of anywhere like that close enough to us.

Then I thought, Golden Gate Bridge. But the glamorous theme didn't seem as good with that, so I thought about a few things and had a sort of dress in mind. I went into anthropologie to be inspired, but no plans to actually buy something in that heavenly, yet way expensive store, and then I saw it, the perfect dress. They only had one of my size--although it didn't matter that much because it has an elastic waist, but the hooks were falling off. After some talking with the lady (I think she was a manager), and noticing some other weak hooks and a dirty hem and no other dresses in stock in that size, she dropped the price 10% to 15% to 20% to 35% and then steamed it for me!!! And I wasn't pushing, I did ask if a discount would be available, but she jumped it up as she saw the defects (I only specifically asked for the 20 after I saw another hook prob). I was SO excited. And so glad I asked. The picture doesn't do it justice. Can you tell I'm excited?

Then I was rushing to get Hazel from school, but stopped in H&M which was next door and found these awesome shoes. Once home, I realized getting a size too small would actually hurt after all (unlike the thrill I had at finding the perfect shoes--I'd had a wedge in mind, pref a colored one). So I need to see if another store has a different size.

I bought some cute clips there too, I have a bunch of these already, and my girls wear them just about every day. I thought the rose/peach and ivory ones would be perfect for this picture.

My them is still evolving, but I think I'm doing a vintage look of a tourist family. I mean, we'll have the golden gate behind us and all. These are my wish list items:

And I just like the look of this pic.

I need to run it by the guy who will take our pics, but I'm pretty pumped. If only I didn't have a time crunch!

Q: Anyone know where to find 30s dresses for girls? Pants for men that are wide leg--it seems most of the stores seem to carry tapered legs for them now, not gonna work.

Q: Any props ideas? Thinking: old fashioned camera, wagon? Suckers? Anything for the kids to play with and look natural.