End of the School Year Photo Book

I have loved my kids' classes having Shutterfly class pages. This year it was especially helpful because our room moms put together an amazing book for the teacher that we were all able to order as well. I can't wait to surprise my daughter with this book!

Click here to view this photo book larger

Shutterfly photo books offer a wide range of artful designs and embellishments to choose from.

Posted by Leslie

FREE Canvas from CanvasPeople.com

A few months ago, I ordered this canvas from CanvasPeople.com and absolutely love it. Well, maybe that's because I love the picture so much, but the canvas looks great, too!

Guess what???

CanvasPeople.com is now offering a free 8x10 canvas as one of their Back to School deals. The regular price for the 8x10 canvas is $49.99, but if you hurry, you can get this great canvas for just the price of shipping and handling ($14.95). With the holidays coming up, this could be a great opportunity to save on a gift for someone special.

Wordless Wednesday

Melissa Vossler Photography

Family Portrait Day

I am so excited!  It has been two months in the making/planning, and we are finally having our first professional photo shoot for family pictures!

So long to the pictures taken by passers-by (as shown above).  I want a big family portrait we can frame.  (Not exactly RHONJ Teresa style, but something I can hang on the wall with pride!)

Sure we have studio pictures of the kids all over the house, but I am so excited to have photos of our entire family. together. smiling. at the same time.

The last time I took professional photos was probably for my own wedding or a friend's wedding.  In those cases, I already knew what I would wear for the photos.  But for today's photo session, I still have no idea! 

Our photographer, Melissa of Melissa Vossler Photography, gave me the following advice on what to wear:

"What to wear? I always tell my clients to dress how they normally would, but maybe kick it up a notch! Bright colors are always ideal....nothing matchy (which means, don't all show up in white polos and khakis!), and don't be afraid of pattern (no logos!).  Most of all, make sure you are all comfortable and feel great! This session should really reflect your family. So if you all are relaxed and kick back - jeans and flip flops with a colorful tank is great. If you want something a little more classic - then dress it up a bit!"

So, that advice knocks out of contention the black top I was thinking of wearing, but that is okay.  I will figure something out.  Luckily, I do have cute clothes already picked out for the kids!

I also asked Melissa what we should expect.  Since our photo session is going to be outside in beautiful Southern California, she kept our role in the photo shoot pretty simple:

"While we're chatting, we'll be walking around and when I see the perfect light - I tell you where to stand, what to do, and then I let you kind of interact. You don't need to know what to do...that's what I'm there for. As long as you feel relaxed and are entering the session with the mindset of having fun - then you'll be golden. :)"

So all I have to do is show up and have fun...now I am even more excited!  Stay tuned for how the photo shoot turns out!

Happy Friday!

Save on Summer Pictures

Now that Labor Day has come and gone, there is no better time to get your photos off your camera and into your photo albums. Kodak Easyshare Gallery is offering 25% off your order, including prints. Use the code PRINTITOUT at checkout to save now. But hurry, this coupon code is only valid until Wednesday, September 5th.

(P.S. Thanks for letting me indulge in sharing some of my summer photos!)

Feeling Frumpy?

Many of us have those days when we just don't feel as hot as we should. I had one of these days recently and found a nice pick-me- up that was free. I decided to watch my wedding video - not the whole thing, of course, just the nice 5 minute montage. It took me back to a great time when I wasn't worrying so much about houses, couches and babies.

And if you don't have a wedding video, perhaps you have wedding photos to remind you that you are hot! (Note: This also works when your husband has done something wrong and you want to remember why you married him!)

(Second Note: Shamelessly posting pictures of your wedding on a blog can help you feel hot again, too!)

Wedding photos courtesy of AquarioStudio.com.