Congrats Nicky and Liz – you’ve been emailed! :)

Note from Photographer Cafe:

Photographer Cafe is a favorite place for photographers to find inspiration and shop for great products.  We are currently in the midst of releasing our latest holiday templates. From vintage to classic to whimsical, there is something for everyone…with even more to come. Also, be sure to check out our super simple, super effective business and marketing tools. With products like our Marketing and Office Basics, you will save time and maintain peace and order in your life as your photography business kicks into high gear this August through December!

Of course, now is the perfect time to give away some Photographer Cafe goodness to TWO lucky winners!  Leave a comment on this blog to win one of TWO $100 shopping sprees!  If your name is chosen, use your $100 voucher to purchase holiday card templates, marketing templates, or whatever else you may have had your eye on in the Photographer Cafe shop!

Also, Photographer Cafe is offering a discount code to the readers of this blog. The code is TARAWHITNEY15 for 15% off any store purchase through Monday August 9, 2010 midnight EST.

Winners chosen Monday morning, 9am PST!

Winners have been chosen and contacted  – thank you for playing!

Our giveaway this weekend is from Lisa Leonard Designs.

She is giving away three $50 gift certificates, and will ship to US or Canada. To enter, simply enter a comment on the blog.

(Facebook comments do not apply.)

Taken from her press release:

Hand-stamped Jewelry is the Hottest, New Trend

Lisa Leonard Designs takes a unique and creative perspective with creating  personal keepsakes.

When California girl and young mom, Lisa Leonard decided to start her small jewelry business five years ago, she had no idea how things would take off.  With a fresh perspective and an artist’s heart she set about making jewelry that could not be found anywhere else.  Her hand-stamped, sterling silver jewelry is setting the trends and is loved by women all over the world.

Her hand-wrought creations have been featured in several national magazines, such as Parenting Magazine, Pregnancy Magazine, Victoria Magazine and Wondertime. Online outlets are singing the praises of Lisa Leonard Designs, including Cookie Magazine and Glamour.com. Celebrities also love her line, including Josie Bissett, Jason and Naomi Priestly and Jennie Garth.

Each piece is hand-cut, hammered, stamped, polished and drilled with care in her California workshop.  You’ll find the perfect gift for a friend, grandmother, sister or of course, yourself!  And don’t forget dad or baby.  Lisa offers custom keychain and baby spoons that will warm the heart.

Winner will be picked Monday morning, 10am PST.

Good luck! You are going to want to win this one. Every piece of work I have from Lisa’s line I cherish.

That is us – my camera resting on a pile of sweatshirts – self timer – outside of the fair – taken Sunday.

I haven’t been online aside from Twitter updates on my phone for over a week. We have been enjoying the fruits of our local area with the kids – staycation! – everything from renting a boat in the Oceanside harbor to a Train concert at the Orange County Fair. I will be sharing photos from our vacation soon, along with a ton of client work that I have yet to post here.

I just wanted to update here quickly to say that I am back to work this week and answering emails again. If you have been waiting, you will hear from me today.

NEWS:

I am now booked through September – and I only have October and November left for the year. If you are thinking of hiring me before the Holidays, now is the time. Fall always books up in a blink.

MISC:

My heart is so full after having read through every single comment on the post below, about Miss Mckenna. She can be so difficult and so locked up that when we get a moment where she opens up to us we rejoice. You all rejoiced with me, and I just can’t say enough how much it means that so many of you get it too. I am stunned at the reaction – can’t believe it. Thank you.

You will hear from me again soon.

xo

Tara