Hitched Studios Photography Workshop

Last weekend I had the awesome pleasure of taking a second workshop with the Hitched Studios crew. That's right, SECOND, workshop. I took their level one earlier this month. And I finally feel like I know how to use my camera. Now whether I am actually taking interesting pictures remains a topic for discussion, but the color and the focus are finally good. Hallelujah.

If you are in the greater Boston area, and are looking for a great set of photographers for family or celebrations, I highly recommend them. I mean, highly.

With all of my new photography skillz I have zero aspirations to go on to do anything great, like open my own biz-ness. A DSLR does not make one a photographer, this much I know. And I seriously lack the artful eye necessary to be a photographer for realsies. But I am pretty thrilled to be able to take better pictures of the kids and maybe save a little moolah when it comes time to take a family photo for our holiday cards. Especially since I sprung for a wireless shutter trigger earlier this year. Holler.

Here are some of my practice shots from the weekend.

{ practice engagement shoot }

{ practice baby shoot }

{ practice adult shoot }

The fab crew that held the workshop are amazing and will be offering their workshops more regularly if anyone is interested in attending one themselves. Follow Hitched Studios on Facebook for the most up-to-date information.

P.S. It is not too late to enter the Jewel Kade giveaway! Enter now for a chance to win these fabulous earrings.

Jewel Kade Giveaway

I am really excited to share this giveaway with you all. My dear friend, Ashley, recently became a Jewel Kade stylist and she's giving away a pair of awesome earrings...and you can win them!

Here’s what’s up for grabs:

PRIZE: Olde World Earrings

DESCRIPTION:  Jewel Kade is artful, handcrafted charms. It’s inspired jewelry. It’s a fresh take on timeless fashion. It’s worn by those who celebrate life, and those who treasure unforgettable accessories.

• JK Signature Charms – JK Signature Charms are all handcrafted and feature intriguing designs that reflect life, love, nature, and beauty.
• JK Magnolia Metals – With JK Magnolia Metals, you can make a statement all your own. Each charm is stamped individually by our Production Artists with your choice of initials or wording.
• JK Necklaces – JK necklaces fit your every mood – ranging from brilliant, special occasion pieces to casual, effortless chains. Each necklace has an unexpected JK touch that makes it unique. And while some are purely for layering, most necklaces feature a lobster clip so you can interchange your JK charms. 
• JK Accessories – Bracelets, earrings, drops, Keepsake Charms, Swarovski Birthstone Crystals, and more…you can accent your JK look in a multitude of ways with JK’s distinctive accessories.

About the charms:

• Each and every JK Signature Charm is handcrafted in the JK studios in Alpine, Utah.
• The charms are each framed by hand in authentic pewter (lead-free, of course).
• The beveled glass is hand-cut.
• The artistic designs are printed one-by-one on artist’s canvas – not paper – which sets Jewel Kade apart from other brands.
• The designs are embellished by hand with dazzling touches like Swarovski crystals and German Glass Glitter.
• The attachment rings, jump rings and drops are then added by hand.
• Finally, each charm is individually inspected and polished before it’s deemed JK-worthy and sent to you.
• With the handcrafted process behind JK charms, the subtle variations mean no two charms are exactly alike, which means you are wearing a truly unique, inspired piece of artistry.

NUMBER OF WINNERS: (1) One

TO ENTER:

1.) Leave a comment with the phrase "Charm Me!" below AND

2.) Go check out https://acs.jewelkade.com/companyprofile and leave a comment telling me what your favorite piece of Jewel Kade jewelry is.

Want to increase your chances of winning? There are 2 additional easy ways you can earn bonus entries:

1.) Follow @nikinikinine on Instagram and post about the giveaway with the hashtag #jewelkadegiveaway

2.) Like Ashley's Jewel Kade page on Facebook, Charming You Palm Beach, and leave a comment here saying you've done so!

THE FINE PRINT: Giveaway is open to US shoppers only. Giveaway runs from today (May 17th) to Midnight EST Sunday, May 26th. One winner will be chosen using Random.org and emailed to claim their prize. Winner will also be announced on the blog on Monday, May 27th.

If you don't happen to win, you can still save up to 40% Jewel Kade jewelry combinations through May 31st.

GOOD LUCK!

Giveaway Winners

Congrats to Nicolle for winning doxycycline. I sent you an email to follow up!

Andrea, congrats on being the winner of the prometrium, 

email me at nikinikinine [at] yahoo [dot] com with your mailing address and I'll get it in the mail on Saturday.

Best of luck to you both on your upcoming cycles!

Estradiol Giveaway

Estradiol - 26, 1mg pills good through November 7, 2010.

To enter simply leave a comment in the comment box answering this question: you have tomorrow off, money is no object; what do you do with your day?

That’s all folks! Giveaway ends Monday May 3rd at 8 pm EST. One winner will be chosen by Random.org.

Yup, Another Giveaway

Doxycycline - fourteen 100mg capsules good through May 29, 2010.

To enter simply leave a comment in the comment box telling me about the one thing you do for yourself as a splurge.

That’s all folks! Giveaway ends Thursday April 29th at 8 pm EST. One winner will be chosen by Random.org.

Infertility Giveaway - the goods not the Dx

Giveaway #2 is prometrium, the easiest and best progesterone supplement I've ever had to use (trust me it's better than the shot in the arse and the cold wet tile grout in your drawers!)

I have twenty 200mg capsules that are good through August 31, 2010.

To enter simply leave a comment in the comment box telling me about your best vacation. Where did you go? Where did you stay? What was so great about the trip? 

That’s all folks! Giveaway ends Thursday April 29th at 8 pm EST. One winner will be chosen by Random.org.

Couple's Guide to IVF Winner

Congratulations Lindsay for winning my first ever giveaway! 

Email me at nikinikinine [at] yahoo [dot] com with your address and I will send you out your prize this week. Next giveaway will be posted tomorrow.

Is This Real Life?

IVF #2 is kicking my ass. I'm an emotional basket case. And no, it's not from the 10IU of mood-unstabilizing hormones I'm injecting into my stomach daily. It's a combination of fear that this cycle won't work, fear that it will work and I'll lose the baby again, fear that I may never get to be a mommy and utter disbelief that I am here again. I keep hoping that the last few months were just a bad dream.

To say I cry (a lot) would be a gross understatement. I was thinking about how scared and excited I was the last time we walked this line and what I used to get me through the cycle. I remembered how many books I read and how much walking and running I did. There were lots of baths too.

On April 7, 2009, I was referred out for basic infertility testing. By the end of the month of April we were given a diagnosis of Unexplained Infertility. Over the last year I have amassed a pretty ridiculous collection of infertility related objects, many of which I no longer need. So…I'm giving them away on this blog. Everything from books that helped me process this experience to meds leftover from past IUI cycles. (As I get to the end of this cycle, I will also give away any of my unused IVF meds).

So for my first ever giveaway, I present to you The Couple's Guide to In Vitro Fertilization.

Both my husband and I read this (separately). It helped me understand the process and what I was about to experience. Even though I frequent an amazing community of women, some questions I simply felt too stupid to ask. This book answered even those stupid questions for me. For him, it was the first time he realized how detailed and serious the journey we were embarking on was going to be.

To win, simply leave a comment in the comment box telling me how you found my blog. That’s all folks! Giveaway ends Sunday April 25th at 8 pm EST. One winner to be chosen by Random.org.

Good luck!