Sunday, April 17, 2011

22 Before 22: #21 Finish our wedding/newlywed scrapbook

A few weeks ago I purchased a $45 groupon to Blurb for only $20. Since it's been almost a year and I have still to even start on our wedding scrapbook, I decided to simply put our photos into a nice photo book. I was able to create a 68-page hardback book with a dust jacket and all the pages printed on premium lustre coated paper. All in all, I only had to pay for shipping and my coffee table book should arrive in a couple weeks.

Amazon
Feeding the Soil
As regards our newlywed scrapbook, I ordered a black fabric 8.5"x11" 3-ring binder and 100 top loading page protectors. I plan to just order my favorite photos from the past year as 4x6 prints from ArtsCow and mount them on pretty scrapbook paper mats. I will use double-sided tape to adhere a photo to a plain piece of paper and just journal below it about that specific memory. While not the prettiest, I want to keep this album simple so that I can actually keep up with it over the years. I was totally inspired by the living, growing scrapbooks created by Sara of Feeding the Soil and Amy of Progressive Pioneer.
I'll share pictures as I keep our family scrapbook updated and I am still eager to finish up the coffee table book version of my wedding blog to have printed by Blurb.

{The photos featured in our wedding book are property of Sixfourteen Photography, JD Parker, Melanie Canales, Lyzette Cantu, Synthialyn Schultz, Nat Washburn, Scott McCleskey, Tiana Nolan, and Marcie & Rae Fisher}

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Easy, Yummy, & Cheap Peanut Soy Asian Dinner

I participated in a recipe swap a while back and received a super simple recipe for Asian chicken. Plus it's so cheap it should be a sin!

Ingredients
2 Tbs Peanut Butter = $.16
2 Tbs Soy Sauce = $.18
1/2 lb Chicken Breast (cubed) = $1
Simply Asia Microwave Meal Kit = $2

Whisk peanut butter and soy sauce until creamy. You may have to experiment with the amount to get a smooth creamy slightly thick texture. Put chicken in gallon size ziploc bag and pour sauce mix over. Remove air and seal bag, mix well so chicken is thoroughly coated. Pour bag's content into skillet and cook  until chicken is white all the way through.
When chicken is almost done, prepare noodles according to directions on package. Split the serving in half and serve with chicken.

Serves two on $3.34. Score! :)

I would post a picture but it's kinda all the same color so doesn't look too pretty but oh is it yummy ;)

Saturday, April 9, 2011

22 Before 22: #2 Create a photography portfolio website

It's done! I finally created my photography portfolio website and I am so happy about it! :D
Feel free to check it out and be sure to stop by the "Specials" page to snag yourself some great deals on portfolio building sessions I am offering!

Friday, April 8, 2011

Portfolios

I am currently going through my photos to finally create a photography portfolio website and I found one of my favorite shots I've ever taken. It's not one I can include in my portfolio since it needs explanation since most people won't get it at first...
It looks just like a bad blurry photo at first... but if you really look at it, you can see the bride and groom dancing and moving closer together until they meet in the middle where he kisses her forehead. It warms my heart every time I see it :)

I also completed my graphic arts portfolio last night so feel free to check it out! ;)

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Dishing For Dana

Hey Folks!
Today I have a special request for my beloved readers. Back when I was engaged, I came across the wedding wonder woman, Dana Larue aka The Broke-A** Bride. She is this amazing, creative, budget-conscience lady who puts every fiber of her being into helping others plan cheaper weddings. Since her own beautiful wedding, she has become a wedding superstar and started her own brand that ranges into nearly every spectrum of the wedding industry. Her story is what inspires me everyday with my own business and creativity.

Except Dana is sick. Like really really sick! She has an autoimmune disease that has required 11 surgeries! And now she has to undergo her 12th! As someone in the same line of work, I can honestly tell you that Dana isn't rolling in the dough. In fact, her and her hubby, Hunter, are 13k in the hole just from her medical bills (not including the up-coming ones with her next surgery). But Dana doesn't want to be a charity case.

Instead she has created a collection of comfort food recipes brought to you by amazing bloggers (like myself *wink*). In exchange for a donation as little as a penny you can get access to this entire collection of recipes! Can we talk about how much easier menu planning will be?!
Plus Dana is going to turn Dishing for Dana into a physical cookbook that you can purchase in e-format for just a $10 donation or in print with a $40 donation. Think about it, not only will you be helping out a lovely lady going through a rough time but you will be getting something you can use over and over again for generations to come. Win Win, right?
So I hope you guys can find some room in your hearts and wallets to help Dana out! And if not monetarily, there's other ways you can help too!