Joyfully Rooted

07/15/2026

"But how long do they actually last?" It's the number one question I get about custom press ons, so I answered it honestly on the blog.

Spoiler: with a quality set and the right prep, one to three weeks is absolutely doable, and many sets can be reused again and again. I'm breaking down exactly what makes a set last, the prep steps that matter most, and how to care for them so you get the most wear possible.

Head to the blog to read the full breakdown. https://www.joyfullyrooted.com/post/how-long-do-press-on-nails-last-a-custom-nail-maker-s-honest-answer

"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move,' and it will move." -- Matthew 17:20

If you have ever wondered whether press on nails are worth it, the first question is almost always the same. How long do they actually last? Here is the honest answer. A well made, properly applied custom set typically lasts anywhere from one to three weeks, and sometimes longer. The range is wide b...

07/14/2026

It's giveaway time, and I'm doing something a little extra this round.

I'm giving away TWO prizes to TWO winners:

🏆️ One winner gets a custom handmade press on set, designed just for you. Since these ship right to your door, this one is open to anyone, anywhere.
🏆️ One winner gets a 1 hour photo session with me, your choice of family, portrait, or couples. Open to the tri county area (Jackson, Lenawee, and Hillsdale counties).

Whether you're here for the nails or the photos, there's something for you this week.

Here's how to enter:
1. Follow me here so you don't miss the winner announcement.
2. Tag a friend or two in the comments. Every comment with a new tag counts as another entry, so tag as many as you'd like.
3. Share this post (make sure your post is public so I can see it!)
BONUS ENTRY: Follow me on each platform for an additional entry. Every platform you follow on earns you an extra entry, so following on all three gets you three entries.

Two winners will be randomly chosen and announced right here one week from today.

I'm so grateful for every single one of you who has cheered this little business on. This is my way of saying thank you. Now go tag someone who would love this. 🤍

"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move,' and it will move." -- Matthew 17:20

07/14/2026

Wondering what to wear for your session? Let's take the stress out of it. 🌱

The right outfits make your photos feel timeless and let your family be the focus. Here's what I always recommend:

1. Stick to neutrals and earth tones. Think creams, soft whites, taupe, sage, warm browns, and muted blues. These colors photograph beautifully, feel cohesive, and won't fight for attention in your images.

2. Coordinate, don't match. You don't need everyone in the exact same outfit. Instead, pull from the same color family and mix in different textures and layers. It looks intentional and natural, not like a matching set.

3. Skip logos and busy patterns. Big graphics, loud prints, and tight patterns can date your photos fast and pull the eye away from your faces. When in doubt, keep it simple and soft.

4. Add a little texture. Knits, linen, flowy fabrics, and layers add depth and interest without being distracting. This is the little secret that takes a look good to gorgeous.

Save this post so you have it ready when you're planning your session outfits. And if you want, send me your looks ahead of time. I'm always happy to help you pull it all together.

Ready to book? DM me and let's find your date.

"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move,' and it will move. -- Matthew 17:20

07/14/2026

Want your press ons to actually last? Here's how. 🌱

I put so much love into every custom set, and I want them to stay put and look amazing on you for as long as possible. A few simple tips make all the difference:

1. Prep is everything. Start with clean, dry nails. Push back your cuticles, lightly buff the surface, and wipe each nail with alcohol so there's no oil left behind. This step is the secret to a long-lasting set.

2. Press firmly, especially on the edges. Once they're on, hold each nail down with good pressure for a few seconds and really seal those edges and sides. This is where lifting starts, so give them a little extra love.

3. Give them an hour at least before water. Let the adhesive fully set before washing dishes, showering, or swimming. That first hour is what locks everything in.

4. Skip oils and lotions for 24 hours if you can. Give the adhesive a full day to bond before introducing anything greasy around your nails. A little patience here goes a long way toward a set that lasts.

Follow these and your set will go the distance. Save this post so you have it handy for your next application.

Ready for a custom set of your own? DM me and let's create something made just for you. 🤍

"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move,' and it will move. -- Matthew 17:20

07/12/2026

I've been sitting with something lately, and I wanted to share it with you. 🌱

When I planted this little seed called Joyfully Rooted, I had no idea what would come of it. No roadmap, no certainty, just a quiet nudge and enough faith to say yes and see what God would do with it.

And looking around this season, I'm honestly a little in awe. The orders, the sessions, the people who keep showing up and cheering me on, none of it was guaranteed. It grew slowly, sometimes so slowly I couldn't see it happening at all. But that's the thing about seeds. So much of the growth happens underground, in the waiting, before you ever see it break the surface.

That mustard seed verse isn't just my brand foundation. It's the truth I've watched play out with my own eyes. Small faith, faithfully planted, grows into something you never could have built on your own.

Thank you for being part of this. Every single one of you is part of the story God's writing here, and I don't take it lightly. 🤍

"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move,' and it will move." -- Matthew 17:20

07/11/2026

Fifty years of love, all in one frame. 🌱

This session was such a special one. What started as an extended family shoot turned into a celebration of fifty years of marriage for the grandparents at the heart of it all. Getting to photograph every generation together, the couple who started it all, their kids, their grandkids, was the kind of moment that reminds me exactly why I do this.

You could feel the love in every direction. The teasing, the hugs, the way everyone piled in close, the quiet glance between the two people who've built a whole life together. This isn't just a photo. It's a legacy, captured and ready to hold onto for the next fifty years.

If you've got a milestone worth remembering, big anniversary, growing family, or just this season of life, let's capture it before it passes. DM me and let's find your date. 🤍

"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move,' and it will move." -- Matthew 17:20

07/10/2026

Simple or designed? Let's talk about the difference. 🌱

On one side you've got a classic simple set. Clean, timeless, one solid color or a soft neutral. These come with a quicker turnaround and a lower price point, so they're perfect if you want something elevated without the wait or the splurge.

On the other side is a fully designed set. This is where I get to play, custom art, color mixing, little hand-painted details, the works. They take more time to create and cost a bit more, because every tiny detail is done by hand just for you. But if you want a set that turns heads and feels like wearable art, this is the one.

Both are made with the same love. It just comes down to your style and your vibe.

So tell me in the comments: are you a simple set or a designed set? I genuinely want to know. 🤍

"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move,' and it will move." -- Matthew 17:20

07/09/2026

Getting to photograph this tiny one was extra special, because he's my newest nephew. 🌱

There's something different about being behind the camera for your own family. I wasn't just capturing a newborn session, I was capturing my sister's whole world, those first sleepy days, the impossibly tiny fingers, the way everyone in the room just melts when he's around. Ten little toes, one very full heart.

I already loved this little guy before I ever picked up my camera. Getting to freeze these first fleeting days for our family to hold onto forever? That's a gift I don't take for granted.

Welcome to the family, sweet Declan. Yaya (if you know me you know that's one of my most important titles) is already obsessed. 🤍

If you've got a little one on the way, newborn sessions are some of my favorite to shoot. These early days go so fast. Let's make sure you don't forget a single detail. DM me to book.

"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move,' and it will move." -- Matthew 17:20

https://joyfullyrooted.pixieset.com/declan/

Photo collection by Joyful Moments Photography

07/09/2026

Thursday reminder for anyone who needs it. 🌱

Some weeks the mountain feels bigger than your faith. The orders are slow, the plan isn't clicking, the dream feels heavier than it did on Monday. I've been there more times than I can count.

But here's what I keep coming back to: you don't have to move the mountain today. You just have to keep showing up with the little bit of faith you've got. Small steps still count. Slow growth is still growth. The seed you planted is doing more under the surface than you can see.

Keep going. You're more rooted than you feel. 🤍

"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move,' and it will move." -- Matthew 17:20

07/08/2026

Ever wonder what goes into your custom set? Here's the whole thing start to finish. 🌱

Every single order is made by hand, right here by me. No mass production, no factory, no two sets exactly alike. Just hours of measuring, painting, and tiny detail work poured into something made specifically for you.

This is what custom really means. You tell me your length, your shape, your vision, and I build it from scratch with so much love. When they show up at your door, they're truly one of a kind, because they were made for you and only you.

Want a set of your own? My DMs are open and I cannot wait to create something just for you. 🤍

"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move,' and it will move." -- Matthew 17:20