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I will be in touch with all of you on how to claim your prizes. CONGRATS!!!!
It is that time of year again, time to giveaway some of my “Favorite Things.” Last year we had a lot of fun with this, this year the giveaways are bigger and better and I have a lot of them. We have a lot of great local products and goodies as well as some random everyday items that make me function better.
How the giveaway works, you can earn several entrances for each product.
1) Be sure to leave a comment on my blog. Be sure to mention where you live and what 2 of my favorite things you like.
2) Go to my Facebook Fan Page, be sure to check out each image and comment under the photo of each of your favorite things.
3) If I put up a link to the favorite thing fan page, be sure to go their page, become a fan and repost under their photo on my site that you fanned their page. You get a bonus entrance. Feel free to let them know I sent you 
All winners will be drawn at random. Some items will be ready to ship to those out of the area, others will be ready for pick up at my studio. You will have 2 weeks to pick up your goodies or they will be given to the next drawn name. If you have any questions, just ask.
What the products are and why I love them so:
Local Businesses:
My Sis Designs: Handmade, unique bracelet. I sport many of her one of a kind goodies, that can not be bought in stores. She is offering us a copy of my favorite can top bracelet.
Knapp Sacks: This products has become a household name in the Hudson Valley. Clinton has been bundled up a night in his since day one. They are also great for photographers for newborn props. They can be found in her online shop or at Waddle n Swaddle in Poughkeepsie and Rhinebeck. Jenn is hooking us up with a gender neutral sack for her last giveaway for the year.
Lola’s Cafe: If you live in Dutchess County and haven’t eaten here yet, you have to try it. They catered our Anniversary Celebration this past September, I highly recommend their Thai noodles. I have a $25 gift certificate to Lola’s for one lucky winner.
Three Sister Herbals: Their homemade products can be found online or in many local retailers including Waddle n Swaddle. I have 2 tins of Magic Salve to giveaway. They are perfect for babies skin as well as removing mommy’s eye makeup.
Bad Ass Coffee: We all how much I love a good mocha, well Bad Ass has the perfect blended frozen coffee’s in the Hudson Valley, you must try one. The owner has hooked me up with 5, $5 gift cards for you to come in and try one out. I recommend the original frozen Bad Ass Mocha.
Mann on The Move: Last year I had my car detailed by George for after a long winter. With kids, dogs and dirt, my car was not too clean. He came to my house, which is awesome, I don’t have to leave my home, and cleaned for 4 hours non stop. My car was cleaner than when I bought it. George is hooking one lucky winner up with a $50 gift certificate towards his car cleaning service. My husband told me he quit when I told him he is not eligible to win this prize, due to the fact he worked for me.
Gnorasaurus: Every year I get the family custom retro shirts made from this fabulous local momma. She is great with the custom orders but offers a unique line of custom tees, bags and now baby hats. Kathy is hooking us up with one of her newborn hats to giveaway.
Mid Hudson Children’s Museum: Kieran claims it has “his” museum since that is where we hosted his 3rd birthday party. They boys love to go there with their daddy on the days mommy works. They also host great summer camps. Wanna check them out? The CM was kind enough to hook me up with 4 day passes to giveaway.
Hudson Valley Magazine: They throw a killer party every October and they bring you the best food and drink in the Hudson Valley. I look forward to getting their magazine every month to see what is going on. Two lucky winners will also be given the gift that keeps on giving, a year subscription to HVM.
Crave: Many of you know my obsession with cupcakes, especially Red Velvet ones. Well, recently a box appeared on my front door, filled with goodies from a local momma who made me chocolate covered red velvet cupcakes. OMG!!! She has been kind enough to offer to make a fresh batch of goodies for one lucky local winner. By the way, her chocolate covered Oreo truffles, to die for!
Nosefrieda: The Snot Sucker. Yes, a tool that sucks the boogies out of your babies nose. Sound super gross, but every momma should have one. I got mine as gift from Waddle n Swaddle when Clinton was born. Wish I knew about it with my other boys. One lucky winner will get a nosefrieda courtesy of Waddle n Swaddle. I will even through in a bottle of Baby Saline spray.
Other goodies:
Mad Men Season One on Blueray: I got into this show while it was on rerun. Must see!
Luna Bars: Peppermint Chocolate. For mommas like me who have breakfast on the go, or need a quick snack for the kids, a case of my favorite flavor of Luna Bars.
How To Cook Like A Top Chef: Top Chef is one of my favorite shows on TV. Bravo can ALMOST do no wrong. One lucky winner will get the latest Top Chef cook book. If you live close, you might have to cook me something.
GLEE: For all those Gleeks out the who love the holidays, then wouldn’t you love a copy of the Glee Holiday CD?
Trader Joe’s: I believe everyone in Dutchess County has written them and begged for them to come to our area but we have to travel to NJ or CT to get our favorite TJ goods. Well, if you are in that neck of the woods, I have a $25 GC for ya to spend. Think of me when picking up those awesome lava cakes they have in the dessert area.
Pretzel M&Ms: Chocolate and salt, enough said.
Organic Bloom Frame: Surprise Photography has started carrying these awesome frames and one lucky winner will get a 5×7 frame of their own.
How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You: If you have Dino freak children like mine, then you are probably very familiar with this line of books. Even if your kids aren’t dino fans, they will love this sweet book that is one of my favorites to read to the boys.
LensPEN Lens Cleaner: For all those photogs out there, you need on of these in your bags just encase your finger slips and you touch your lens or you need to brush a little dust off your sensor.
Thank you for letting me tell you a little bit about my favorite things. I will be running this contest from today until Saturday. Tell your friends and good luck!!!
This weekend we commemorate the Grand Opening of the Walkway Over The Hudson. I was very lucky to be an invited to photograph this event as well as several others over the opening weekend. One of my favorite shots is actually of the Mid Hudson Bridge, taken from the Walkway the night of the Illuminations Walk. I have donated several copies of this print to local fundraisers, now I am giving one away to celebrate the one year anniversary of the Walkway opening, as well as the connection of the Walkway to the rail trail in Highland.
This 12×18 image is printed and mounted on a fine art linen paper. Want to win it? Earn an entrance for each of the items listed below:
1) Leave a comment on my blog below
2) Sign my Facebook page, underneath the print photo
3) Tell your friends. If they sign the blog or FB photo and tell me you sent them, another point
So spread the word, especially those who live in the Hudson Valley! The winning name will be announced on Tuesday, October 5th.
Press Release:
Waddle n Swaddle, Elizabeth Boutique and Surprise Photography will join together for an Anniversary Celebration on Thursday, September 23rd from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The event will be held at Waddle n Swaddle and Elizabeth Boutique and outside the stores on the corner of Raymond Avenue and Davis Avenue, two blocks north of Vassar College.
Waddle n Swaddle, a mother and baby essentials boutique will celebrate its 3rd anniversary; Elizabeth Boutique, a women’s clothing and accessories boutique, their 2nd anniversary and Surprise Photography, a custom children’s portrait and wedding photographer, their 1st anniversary.
The event will include refreshments catered by Lola’s Catering and gift bags will be given to the first 50 guests. Customers can shop the new Fall lines and enjoy special in-store Anniversary savings. Staff will be on hand to answer questions and assist customers throughout the evening. Community members are encouraged to come and celebrate and enjoy great food & giveaways.
Waddle n Swaddle, Elizabeth Boutique and Surprise Photography are local women owned business that have a large following throughout the Hudson Valley. “I am thrilled with our new location next to Elizabeth Boutique and I am excited to be able to celebrate our anniversaries together”, says Jenn Sullivan, owner of Waddle n Swaddle. “ It’s great that we both cater to local women’s needs and that our customers do shop at both stores.” “We have created our own little shopping hub here in Arlington”, adds Beth Madsen, owner of Elizabeth Boutique.
Surprise Photography In Studio Anniversary Specials:
Purchase a portrait session, get a $150 print credit for any session in 2011
**Get your session fee at 2010 rate**
Those who pre-purchase a session will be entered to win a 16×20 Fine Art Print!!
Book your wedding within 1 week of the party, get a complimentary “Bridal Brag Book”
YOU MUST ATTEND THE PARTY TO RECEIVE SPECIALS!
There will be plenty of door prizes as well!
RSVP on FACEBOOK
or email me at melissa@surprisephotography.com
And still no baby. I originally took the month of August off thinking that like my last 2 children, I would have had this baby early, in the beginning of August, and start back to work mid September. Well, my due date has come and gone and still no baby yet. I guess he just likes where he is. I want thank you all who have emailed me for information, for being patient with me in regards to returning phone calls and emails. The last 3 weeks have been physically tough on me and I have more bad days than good.
I will be back in contact with all brides in September to make plans to meet up regarding your weddings next year and I will resume client meetings in September as well. I also want to thank you for all the well wishes via email and Facebook, they truly mean a lot to me.
Hopefully we will be welcoming a new bundle of joy into our family VERY VERY soon!
