MJ's Photography Blog

How to Make Delicious Iced Coffee at Home – MJ

How to make delicious iced coffee at home – MJ

Let’s face it, we love our coffee. If I do not get my coffee in the morning, my day is done! For me, it is all about the iced coffee. Iced coffee=life. One of my favorites is Iced caramel macchiato, but the price tag on that sucker gets me every time. Let’s not even talk about the calories. Throw in a baby that screams in the car and that drive thru is a no go.

What is the solution? Making delicious iced coffee at home. Settling on the flavor is not happening. I have perfected this recipe and I am eager to share! It has been tested by friends and family and they approve.

So here it goes!

Here are all of the supplies that you will need to make this amazing iced coffee at home.

One gallon cold brew coffee maker. link to amazon- Coffee brewer
Coffee(duh). (2 cups) Whatever kind your heart desires
One gallon pitcher(for when it is all ready)
Water
Caramel, Vanilla, or Hazelnut Syrup( I use sugar free)
Stevia sweetener
Half and half(I use fat free) or milk

First you get your 2 cups of ground coffee. Pour it into the wire mesh in the coffee brewer.

Then you pour purified water until the gallon jug is full. I do it a cup at a time. My water spout from the fridge is super intense and pushes some of the grinds through the mesh. So cup by cup it is. I fill it all the way to the tip top.

Put the lid on and pop it in the fridge. Leave it overnight. Its best to make it the morning after you finish your last cup, that way its ready to go for the next day!

Fast forward to the morning! Time for coffee!!! WHOOOOOO. Your whole fridge will smell amazing.

Get out your one gallon pitcher and get the brewing coffee out of the fridge. Take out the wire mesh with the coffee grinds and set it aside.( I like to put it on my plants, they are great for growth.) Now pour the coffee into the pitcher. When you only have about 1/4 left, swirl it around to get some that is stuck on the bottom off. Now your pitcher of iced coffee is ready for the week!

Now onto making your glass of iced coffee at home.

Get some ice in your favorite ice coffee mug and pour you a glass of coffee. (leave some room at the top) My favorite tumbler is Aladdin.

Pour in some half and half. I use the fat free kind for the calorie watch. ( or regular milk, whatever you prefer) I use around a 1/4 of a cup, but I don’t measure. Who has time for that.

Now grab your favorite syrup. I personally love the Torani classic caramel that is sugar free(calorie watch). I bought the Starbucks syrups first, now I just use their pumps and refill them with the Torani. Plus the Torani is cheaper, win win! They also make vanilla and Hazelnut. Pump 3 full pumps into your glass.

Go get one packet of the Stevia in the Raw and dump it in. I buy the packets of Stevia. No measuring required. Again zero calories here.

Stir it up! Now if you want you can drizzle some caramel on top. I do sometimes, but most days I skip those calories.

Now taste it!!! AAAAHHHHHHH It’s so amazing. It takes a second to make in the morning, way cheaper, and way less calories. I rarely buy coffee out anymore. Mine is too good!

Bye bye drive thru and hello iced coffee at home!

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Maternity photography cypress tx – MJ’s Photography

MJ’s Photography is Maternity photography cypress tx.

When you are expecting a baby, it is such an amazing time in your life! At the time you are tired and you do not feel like yourself, but the truth is that you are amazing! You are creating something bigger than yourself, a tiny little newborn baby. That is what I love about my “job.” I get to capture these short, but amazing moments in peoples lives.

I love that I get to meet mommy’s before their little one is here. I capture them while they are carrying their precious baby. Every maternity session is different, every mommy is different, and that is what makes it so special.

Meet Allana. As you scroll these you are going to think “WOW she is gorgeous!” She most certainly is. She made pregnancy look so good. I loved capturing her carrying her princess.

Grayson was so excited to be a big brother. I’m not sure he fully understood what it entailed, but he put on a show regardless! He was quite the ham during mommy’s maternity session in Houston Texas.

There are so many favorites from Allana’s maternity session. Let me know which one is you favorite in the comments!

Here are some from the forest in the purple couture maternity gown.

I love this one of mommy and Grayson. He kept kissing her belly in the sweetest way and then running away!

MJ’s Photography – Maternity photography cypress tx

We then went to another location with a field in Cypress, Texas. Grayson loved running around! Mom changed into a gown by Couture parfait and she looked gorgeous in it!

Isn’t this a perfect family portrait? Just look at Grayson’s face! He is perfect.

I told mommy to put on her model face and she delivered. I am in LOVE with these. She has a gorgeous baby bump!

And some fun playing with a snow edit!

MJ’s Photography – Maternity photography cypress tx

Now on to Avery’s newborn portraits! Miss Avery decided to come early. She made her grand arrival at just 3lb! After some NICU stay, we finally got to schedule her newborn session. I was very excited to finally get to meet her.

She definitely makes the quote “Though she be small, she is mighty,” true. She took a little persuading, but we got an amazing gallery of her. With lots of patience and extra cuddles, her gallery was very full!

Look at that smile! Isn’t she perfect?

She was so tiny at her newborn session! She was around 5 pounds. Look how beautiful she looks in neutrals.

MJ’s Photography – Houston Texas newborn maternity photographer

East Texas newborn maternity photographer

She was so tiny in this standard bucket. Just look at her size compared to the bucket. Ahhhhh I just love this pose on her.

Headband by Lucky Crickets

Mommy brought her wedding gown to Avery’s newborn session. Such a timeless portrait. This will be so special to display on her wedding day.

Look at her in pinks. She gave the prettiest smile and I was so glad that I caught it.

Bear by JLS

If you guys knew what it took to get this portrait of Avery, you wouldn’t believe it! Mommy knows and I think that makes it just that more special. Mommy wanted a naked shot and I am so glad that we got it. Right after I got this, she leaped right up!

If you thought she was gorgeous in pink, just wait until you see her in purple!

Look at this little girl’s personality! Ah I love her eye contact!

We also did sibling portraits with Grayson and Avery. Grayson was quite the model for me at my Hallsville studio.

Mommy did some one on ones with Avery in the same maternity gown. Gah she is gorgeous!

Here is daddy with his princess!

Finally a family of 4. Aren’t they perfect?

MJ | Maternity photography cypress tx – serving the Houston Texas area for newborn maternity portraits.

Want to book a newborn or maternity portrait session? Message me now

It is never to early to book. I am booking into May 2018.

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Newborn studio near Katy

Newborn studio near Katy – MJ’s Photography

Expecting a newborn in or near Katy, Texas? Consider MJ’s Photography for your newborns first portraits.

Remi was such a doll at her newborn session. At 3 weeks old, she weighed around 6 pounds. She had the most beautiful skin and dark brown hair.

Being a Newborn studio near Katy in Houston Texas means I get to snuggle lots of newborns. She was 3 weeks old and slept very well during her session. We got so many great snuggly poses during her portrait session.

Remi was wide eyed during the beginning of her session. Her eye contact at 3 weeks old was spectacular! In their family picture, she had amazing eye contact with me.

Just look at these gorgeous baby eyes.

The Woodlands newborn photographer — Newborn studio near Katy – MJ’s Photography

Big sister is absolutely beautiful and was quite the model! Just try to pick a favorite! I know I can’t.

I love when mom decides to get in on the newborn portraits. Look at how beautiful she is! She is wearing one of my couture gowns that are exclusive for my clients.

Houston Texas newborn portrait photographer — Katy best newborn photographer- MJ’s Photography

Fulshear Texas newborn portrait photographer

Katy Texas newborn portrait photographer

Bellaire Texas newborn portrait photographer

Tanglewood Texas newborn portrait photographer

Jordan Ranch Texas newborn portrait photographer

The Woodlands Texas newborn portrait photographer

I love when I am able to capture a newborn with their eyes open. Sometimes we focus so much on the asleep newborn pictures, that we forget that we want to see what their eyes looked like during this stage too. Don’t get me wrong, I do want them to sleep for most of the session, but I do like some showing their eyes!

It’s important to find a newborn photographer that matches the style that you are wanting. These are once in a lifetime portraits for your precious baby. They will never again be this little or new.

The Galleria Texas newborn portrait photographer

Downtown Houston newborn portrait photographer

Cross Creek Ranch newborn portrait photographer

I have a posed newborn style and I like contrasting shadows in my portraits. Deeper, darker editing style is what I tend to lean towards. I make sure to capture every detail, from their lashes to their toes. Overshooting is a habit and I tend to give a larger gallery to choose from. I just can’t help it! Babies are beautiful and it is hard to stop.

It is all in the details…it is so important to capture every single one. Nothing is too small. Love love love the details!

Cypress Texas newborn portrait photographer

The Heights newborn portrait photographer

Here are some more from her amazing gallery!

MJ | Katy best newborn photographer – serving the Houston Texas area for newborn portraits.

Want to book a newborn portrait session? Message me now

It is never to early to book. I am booking into July 2019.

Visit MJ’s Photography

www.mjthephotog.com

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Email me: [email protected]

Photographer Katy – MJ’s Photography

photographer katy

Photographer Katy – MJ’s Photography

Family portraits…the most stressful day of the year. Am I right? You just want everything to go perfectly, like they do on Pinterest. Well….lets be honest, it never works that way. We worry about outfits, hair, makeup, weather, and of course naps. Why do we do this? Well, the result is why. The memories. They last forever.

Your kids will look back on these and smile. They won’t remember the stress, the struggle, or the anxiety. They will remember their happy family. They will one day show their children these portraits. It is all worth it.

I try to take a much simpler approach to family portraits. There isn’t a shot list. Sure we try to get everyone looking in the same direction and looking happy, but mostly we want the candid moments. The connection that you all have as a family, that is what I aim to capture. You can see from their gallery, I like to capture a lot! They are a gorgeous family!

Look at this sweet moment between a mother and her daughter. This isn’t posed. This is real life. Camyrn and her mommy.

And daddy with his precious daughter. Her laughter. His love. It radiates through.

I also love capturing the little ones by themselves. They grow so fast. The next year their looks and personality will have changed drastically. It is so important to capture them in the stage that they are in. 6 months is a huge milestone. Their personalities are showing, they can connect with you, and their rolls are so adorable to capture! Camryn is such a beautiful baby girl!

Look at her eyes. Ahhhh they are stunning!

Fulshear photographer — Photographer Katy

Camryn – 6 months old.

Photographer Katy – MJ’s Photography

MJ | Katy photographer – serving the Katy Texas area for family portraits.

Want to book a family or milestone portrait session? Message me now

It is never to early to book. I am booking into November 2024.

Visit MJ’s Photography

www.mjthephotog.com

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Email me: [email protected]

Fulshear best newborn photographer- MJ’s Photography

Fulshear best newborn photographer – MJ’s Photography

Twins! Doesn’t every one love twins? Every time I see twins in the store, I just have to peak. There is something so amazing about twins.

When I get a client that is expecting twins, I get so excited. To be able to photograph not one, but two precious babies warms my heart.

Sara told me they were expecting their second set of twins and I was overjoyed to photograph them! I had photographed their first set of twins in 2015 and now I was getting to photograph their second set. Their first set was boy/girl and this time they had two baby boys.

Look how perfect they are. 3 weeks old and just at 4 and 5 pounds.

Their first set of newborn twins are named Lincoln and Kennedy. Their second set of twins are named Grant and Ford. All presidents!

Look at these adorable twin newborn foxes! I cannot even!

Here is twin A, Ford. He weighed 5lb and 8oz at birth. He was full of smiles during his newborn session.

And here is twin B, Grant. He weighed in at 4lb and 11oz at birth. He was so flexible. He folded into this pose and I was over the moon.

Ford and Grant both slept so well for their twin newborn session in Longview. I got so many different images of theses sweet twin boys. Once they were snuggled together, they would drift off peacefully.

Awww just look at baby Grant’s smile!

My favorite pose, the potato! With twins it is double potato!

Fulshear newborn photographer — Fulshear best newborn photographer – MJ’s Photography

Momma joined in. Isn’t she gorgeous? I cannot believe she has two sets of twins!

Here are some behind the scenes during their twin session.

MJ’s Photography – Fulshear best newborn photographer

MJ | Fulshear best newborn photographer – serving the Houston Texas area for newborn portraits.

Want to book a newborn portrait session? Message me now

It is never to early to book. I am booking into November 2019.

Visit MJ’s Photography

www.mjthephotog.com

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Katy tx family photographers – MJ’s Photography featuring Annie Banannie

MJ’s Photography is an Katy tx family photographers located in the Fulshear, Texas area.

Doing photography of children is such an amazing experience for me. I adore getting to know all of my clients children and truly love capturing their big personalities. Any one who has a child, knows this is no easy task. When children are put into new and stressful environments, they shut down. This is exactly what we do not want.

I take a different approach when photographing children. I say this a lot and I mean it, let them be little. We will let them run, play, and explore. This is when we capture them in the most precious moments.

When taking special portraits of children, I love finding the perfect outfits. I am always searching for beautiful and unique pieces to photograph. While displaying my portraits on the walls of Early View Ultrasound in Houston , I happened to see some gorgeous dresses being featured in their boutique section. This is how I found Annie Banannie Clothing! (Click the link to visit her website)

I personally love dressing my two girls in outfits that are unique, high quality, and of course beautiful! That is exactly what Annie Banannie dresses are.

**A little about Annie Banannie. **

She only creates a handful of outfits for each design. If you find one you love, grab it while you can. Once it is gone, it is gone forever. This helps keep each outfit unique.

Her clothing lines are made to be sturdy, fashionable, and able to be washed in the washing machine. A must for any mom. Yet, each outfit is intricately detailed with it’s own unique array of lace, ruffles, and appliqués.

Katy tx family photographer – MJ’s Photography

MJ’s Photography is a Katy tx family photographer serving the Houston Texas area.

Getting family pictures done is so important for yourself and for your children. They will have these memories to look back on when they are older. Trust me, they will want them.

Every mom stresses about their family pictures. After we mentally prepare for family portraits, we start looking for that perfect photographer, which is a job in itself. whew! We want someone that matches our style, our vision, and who can make us look beautiful! Don’t forget MJ is a Katy tx family photographer that services the entire Houston Texas area!

The next thing we think about is the outfits. What colors will we wear? Do these colors all match well? Does my outfit make me look bigger? Does this color wash me out? Guess what, your photographer WILL help you do all of this…and if they do not, you are not with the right photographer! When my clients inquire, I stress the fact that I am more than willing to send examples. I want you to email me pictures with what you are thinking, I will help you tweak your choices if needed.

Fast forward to the day of the session. First priority…making SURE our kids get their naps. If they don’t, forget it. Nightmare session is happening! Am I right?

Somehow in the midst of either work or taking care of the children all day, we are to find time to get ourselves looking gorgeous. This means bringing out the nice makeup we rarely use, finding the curling iron that has collected dust, and putting on our best outfit. If this is a huge stress on your plate, hire someone to do your hair and makeup or even get a friend to help you do it.

We then have to keep everyone clean until after the session. (ya right!)

After it is all said and done, you will LOVE these. You will cherish them forever. I try to help my clients out as much as possible. If it is helping coordinate your outfits, finding you the perfect makeup/hair stylist to make your portraits extra perfect, or meeting your kids beforehand, I am there to help.

I also take a different approach to family portraits. I prefer lifestyle. What exactly does lifestyle family pictures mean? (Besides less stress?) Well, it means that we play, we laugh, we have fun. There is no “shot list.” Sure we will try to get everyone looking, but if that doesn’t happen, it doesn’t matter!

I am looking to capture raw emotion. These emotions/shots cannot be staged or posed. These come from playing with your children. That sweet embrace, the innocent giggle from being twirled, or that huge grin from being chased are the pictures that you will fall in love with. That is what makes these portraits extra special. These are the images that families always choose for their wall art. It’s the ones I choose of my own children.

Guess what? One day your children will be all grown up and family portraits will be staring at the camera with a smile. The pictures where you are holding them, hugging them, and kissing them will no longer be an option. Just let that sink in for second. They will be either to big to hold or too cool for you to kiss on. Go grab your rowdy toddler or your teething baby and get your family portraits done! Capture these precious memories while they are here.

Another thing I love to do during family portraits is capture just mom and dad! Once you have little ones, you forget to capture just you two as a couple. I aim to fix that.

Now come book your family session!

MJ | Katy tx family photographer – serving the Houston Texas area for family portraits.

Want to book a family portrait session? Message me now

It is never to early to book. I am booking into fall of 2022.

Visit MJ’s Photography

www.mjthephotog.com

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Fulshear family photographer with Santa – MJ’s Photography

MJ’s Photography is an Fulshear family photographer with Santa.

I love the Christmas season with Santa! It is such a merry time of the year. I enjoy seeing my girls with Santa so much. You know what I loathe? The lines for Santa! You wait an hour for your little ones to see Santa and then they get all of 10 seconds with him. I do hate that part. I decided this year to book an authentic Santa and Mrs. Clause in order to avoid those lines for myself and for my clients.

The little ones had time to warm up to Santa, where if they didn’t have that, they would have just cried! Of course there were still some children that were terrified of Santa, but the pictures are still so cute!

I mean…look at Jasper. I cannot even handle those two little teeth poking out.

Here he is eyeing Santa…right before he decided to cry!

Fulshear family photographer with Santa – MJ’s Photography

Family portraits with Santa are so cute too! Brittany even brought her furbabies along for their picture with Santa. This little cutie loved Santa! She was all smiles.

Santa had a toy for every child that visited him. This made the visit extra special for them.

These portraits are so much better than in the mall location. Santa is outdoors, in a beautiful location, and actually gets to interact with your child. It’s something they will remember forever.

Mini session portraits with Santa – Katy Texas family photographer with Santa

Madison wasn’t so sure about Santa! So mommy joined in on her portraits 🙂

Here are my two girls with Santa! I had to capture one of them as well! My oldest girl loved seeing Santa. It is all she talks about now.

MJ | Fulshear family photographer with Santa – serving the Katy and Fulshear area for family portraits.

Want to book a family portrait session? Message me now

It is never to early to book.

Visit MJ’s Photography

www.mjthephotog.com

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Fulshear family photographer – MJ’s Photography

MJ’s Photography is a Fulshear family photographer.

I love capturing family portraits. Not your typical staring at the camera smiling picture, but your real family. I love family pictures when you interact with one another, smile at each other, and love on each other! I do capture a couple of everyone looking at the camera, but that is not my main focus.

How perfect are they! To me, this is the picture perfect family portrait.

Jameson is already one month old here. Big brother is still so in love with him. Of course the weather turned extra chilly the day of their session, but they toughed it out.

Look how adorable this sibling picture is! The pumpkin hat is perfect for fall.

It is a must to get portraits of just mom and dad. Once you have little ones, it’s so hard to get pictures with just one another. Aren’t they perfect?

MJ | Fulshear family photographer – serving the Houston Texas area for family portraits.

Want to book a family portrait session? Message me now

It is never to early to book. I am booking into 2019.

Visit MJ’s Photography

www.mjthephotog.com

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Email me: [email protected]

Imported Wood Blocks- Professional portrait photographer in Katy

When someone walks into your home and sees your portraits displayed, I want them to say ” WOW! These look amazing I have never seen anything like this!”

Professional portrait photographer in Katy

Professional portrait photographer in Katy tx

Boutique products – Imported custom wood blocks

At MJ’s Photography I want you to have the best quality products for your portraits. Gorgeous products that you want to proudly display in your home.

These gorgeous custom wood blocks are hand crafted and imported from Europe.

“As creators of eternal memories, we wish that our photographs would come alive outside of our computers, which is why we have searched for the right way our photographs can enrich our homes. We have developed unique and natural wood products that will make your photographs glow.”

“All products have an organic, natural, vintage hint and are made with a lot of love and a great deal of patience.”

Look how gorgeous this nursery with our imported wooden collage.

“With the use of rounded edges, the photographs are given the final touch. They are covered with a protective layer that expands their lifespan and appearance.”

– Ana

The texture, look, and feel of these wooden portraits is nothing short of amazing.

Here is one Imported wood block option – the 5×7 duo featuring a birth announcement! I adore these in every way. When someone walks into your home, they will stop and look at your portraits.

These are a group of ovals! Don’t they look perfect in the entry way? Such a unique way to show off your gorgeous family pictures?

Look at this gorgeous collage of these twin babies! This collection is called the Adore collection and I can see why. I adore everything about it. It features two 12×12 blocks and six 6×6 blocks. Imagine your family’s portraits on these gorgeous blocks! It is certain to stop your guest in their tracks.

Imported Wood Blocks- Professional portrait photographer in Katy

Here is a look at the blocks up close. The rounded, smooth edges really add to the over all organic look to the wooden blocks. Their are tiny holes on the back that make displaying your collage on the wall easy.

Here is a video on me opening up one of my new sets! Click the link below on MJ’s Photography.

MJ’s Photography – link to video

Look how gorgeous these family portraits look displayed!

MJ | Boutique products | Imported Wood Blocks- Professional portrait photographer in Katy

Here is another “mini” set that displays beautifully over your baby’s crib! Have you ever wondered how to decorate above your baby’s crib? Here is the perfect way to display their newborn pictures.

Want to book a session? Message me now

It is never to early to book.

Visit MJ’s Photography

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Email me: [email protected]