Time For Teacher Gifts!

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week! There are so many amazing teachers out there that have changed my life for the better, and I will never be able to repay them for what they’ve done for me.

Today on Let’s Neighbor, I created a FREE DOWNLOAD PRINT for you to simple print out, frame, and give to a special teacher! Go check it out!

Shooting “In The Home” Family Portraits!

Hey everyone! I have some exciting news! For the last year and a half I’ve taken a nice long break from doing family portraits. It was much needed, and I appreciate all of the love and support I got for years when I was shooting. With that being said, besides my product photography, I’m excited to reveal my newest photography endeavor. I will be shooting lifestyle “in the home” portraits.

“In the home” portraits just get me all excited even thinking about it! They are SO fun because I get to go to your home and shoot your family in your own element where you spend the most time, where you love, where you dwell. If you like natural, candid photos this is the shoot for you!

All sessions will include at least 35 of the best images, edited and on a disc for your own use. Included in the price will also be a stylist who will come and help out with finishing touches, be extra hands for me (and you!) and if you’d like, even help pick out wardrobe when we arrive. Sessions last between 60-90 minutes. “In the home” portraits are $350. This rate is for Utah County only. Please contact me for traveling rates if you are outside of Utah County. Spots are limited. I will only be taking two sessions each month, so book now!

How the pricing is broken down:

Sitting- Time and travel- $200
Post-Processing- all of the best images individually edited- $100
Digital disc with all printing rights- $50

Total= $350

With most photographers you are required to purchase your portrait photos individually through the photograhper, with single 8×10 prints costing up to about $40 and 5×7′s between $10-$20 a piece. Also charging anywhere from $250-$500 for digital copies of the images. Because I feel like my clients should be able to have access to their photos whenever they’d like, I like to include a disc of images with all of my sittings at a low price.

I really loved how the Ward Family’s session turned out! They are such a fun, beautiful family and I am so grateful that they invited me into their home to document their wonderful life!

Styling and assisting by Alison Faulkner

Instagram Giveaway!

Because I love you dear reader and followers so very much, I decided to do a little Instagram giveaway for you! I got in contact with some of my very favorite people and products to give you a chance to get your hands on their beautiful products through this giveaway! To enter, go to my Instagram account and follow the simple instructions!

Now about the goods!

First up, the one and only Lala’s Pequenos! I’ve had my eye on Lala Pequenos’ Knotties for a while now. All of their products are so unique and delicious! Make sure to go check out their entire shop!

Next, Goods By Grinn! Goods By Grinn had the hippest pillow covers you’ll ever lay eyes on! They have pillows for every room and for every style. I personally love their gold pillows, but that’s just me! Make sure to check out their Aztec collection as well!

And of course there’s the one and only Alison Show! What can I say? Her amazing leather mobiles speak for themselves!I’d do anything to get my hands on one of her mobiles, as I’m sure you can relate! My personal favorite? The Fiona. I need a girl.

The Art of Tea

I loved this shoot so much and I wanted to share it with you dear readers! My friend Shauna is just getting started creating a blog to keep all of her recipes, and I get to take the photos! Here are just a few to start off with.

Lately

What have we been up to lately? A lot. Last week we took a last minute trip to Arizona to see my sweet nephew Cardon get baptized. It was a beautiful occasion, and we all had a great time. Well, when I say “we all” mainly I mean Cole. I’ve come to the conclusion that Hawk does NOT travel well. It’s not even the drive that was the terrible part, it was just being in new surroundings. No sleep, and just unhappy all around. Grumpy grump for days on end. Then, the second we stepped back into our house he relaxed and back to normal. It’s tough, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who has a child like this. It’s hard!

Anyway, we’re back at home now and going on our daily business! Cole is LOVING preschool and this week his class is celebrating Dr. Seuss’ birthday! He’s been rhyming left and right! We’ve also been doing some fun projects with and without the kids! As pictured, you can see my failed attempt at children’s cough suckers. They were nasty and ugly, and I’m not sure if I’m up to attempt #2. It was a nice thought though. 

On a happier note, my old camera died for good. It was a sad hour, with tears and all. That Canon 30d had gone through a lot with me. After a sobbing phone call to sweet Matt, he came home that night with a shiny, new, fancy one for me! Now I just can’t get enough of it!

That’s about it for us, Until the next “lately” update! xoxo

(also, that awesome pose that Cole is doing was his idea. I love him)

Our Favorite Book: Flotsam

Last year we randomly checked out Flotsam from the library and fell in love with it! We loved it so much, in fact, that we ended up purchasing it for ourselves, and giving it out as gifts to our friends.

This beautiful book by David Wiesner is about an old film camera that is thrown out to see and captures pictures of it’s travels under the ocean. It washes up on shore and a little boy finds it. There are no words in this book, only pictures, which makes it even more fun to interpret.

My boys read Flotsam daily and we will cherish it forever! You can purchase your copy HERE.

A Vacation, and Pug Puppies!

The boys and I will be leaving for Arizona tomorrow. We’re pretty excited to get out of the cold and into the warmth! We’ll take any weather above 30 degrees, even if it’s rain.

I thought I’d leave you with these sweet little puglet photos I took a while back. My aunt bred their pug, Zippy, and she ended up having six puppies! three boys, three girls! Aren’t they the cutest?!

Enjoy the rest of your week! xoxo

Authentic Pad Thai Recipe

Lately I’ve been spending more and more time at the local asian market. Asian food fascinates me to no end, and I’ve particularly been enjoying Thai food. I was talking with one of the darling workers, and she recommended a Pad Thai recipe from her mom that they had on the checkout counter.

I decided to try my hand at the Pad Thai dish. It was really easy, and the ingredients were simple. The only thing is that it takes some prep time, cutting the veggies and preparing the meat. Not too much time, but give yourself about 45 minutes from start to finish. *disclaimer- this is not my recipe, but I do feel comfortable posting it here because my dear asian market friend would’ve written down the recipe for you anyway if you’d just ask her:)

Authentic Pad Thai

2-3 servings

1/2 lime
1 egg
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 tsp fish sauce
3 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp tamarind liquid
1/2 tsp ground dried chili pepper
1/2 package Thai rice noodles
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 tsp ground pepper
1/4-1/2 lb chicken or shrimp
1/2 cup tofu-firm or extra firm
1 cup chinese chives or green onion
3 Tbsp roasted peanut (crushed)
2 Tbsp sweet radish (chop) (I omitted this)
2 cups bean sprouts

Preparation-

Soak the dry noodles in lukewarm water while preparing other ingredients for 10-15 minutes. Julience tofu and cut into 1 inch long matchsticks. Cut up chinese chives or green onions into 1 1/2 inch long pieces. Rince the bean sprouts. Mince shallot and garlic together.

1. In a wok or big pot, heat it up on high heat and pour 2 Tbsp vegetable oil in. Add chicken or shrimp, stir-fry till done and remove them from the wok.

2. Add shallot, garlic, and tofu and stir-fry until they start to brown.

3. The noodles should be flexible but not expanded, drain the noodles and add to the wok. Stir quickly to keep things from sticking.

4. Add tamarind liquid, sugar, fish sauce, chili pepper, ground pepper and sweet radish. Stir. The head should remain high. If your wok is not hot enough, you will see a lot of juice in the pot at this point. Turn up the heat, if this is the case.

5. Make room for the egg by pushing all noodles to the side of the wok. Add 1 Tbsp. veg. oil, wait 1 minute then crack the egg onto the oil and scramble it until it is almost all cooked. Fold the egg into the noodles.

6. Add cooked chicken or shrimp and stir.

7. Add chives or green onion. Stir.

8. Add bean sprouts and stir a few more times but don’t overcook. Remove from heat. Sprouts should be crispy, and the noodles should be soft.

Serving- Pour onto the serving plate and sprinkle with crushed peanuts. Serve hot with a wedge of lime on the side and raw mean sprouts on top.

As always, you can add sugar, chili pepper, fish sauce or lime to suit your personal taste.

Tips- By far, the trickiest part is the soaked noodles. Noodles should be somewhat flexible and solid, not completely expanded and soft. When in doubt, under soak. You can always add more water in the pan, but you can’t take it out.

Enjoy! Let me know how yours turns out!

My Photography Lately

I just thought I’d post a few of the photography projects I’ve been working on. I’ve started dabbling in product photography and I really am enjoying it! If you’re interested in me shooting your products, feel free to contact me!

New Freshly Picked Moccasins! Coming to her shop soon!

The Alison Show did some darling Valentine treats for Martha Stewart and Minted!

The Alison Show also did an amazing no-sew bow tutorial!

Let’s Neighbor Roundup!

In case you didn’t know, I contribute to Let’s Neighbor- a great blog dedicated to bringing communities together and having positive neighboring experiences. Go check out my most recent posts! I think you’ll enjoy them!

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