And I do have to apologize - yesterday's giveaway didn't happen.  I was dealing with a few more things yesterday then I planned on and simply did not find a few minutes to blast it out to everyone.  I'll be sure and make it up to you all next week ;)

But I did want to make sure and post the giveaway for today since this is the day that I was birthed.  But how many years ago?  Hmmmm....

Some of you might remember this post awhile back that was all about a current obsession that I have ;)  I thought it only appropriate to make that the giveaway on my birthday!!  So, the winner of today's giveaway will receive...a darling Anthropologie apron!!

If only I could keep it for myself!  So, in order to win you have to answer the following question...

What age has been your favorite and why?

Since it is a holiday weekend and everyone is out enjoying their friends and family, I am giving you all until the end of Sunday to leave your comment.  The winner will be announced first thing Monday morning!!

Thank you so much again to you all who have sent love and Happy Birthday wishes!! 

Congratulations to, Carre G for winning the Sprinkles Gift Card!!  Carre, I will never understand cottage cheese with maple syrup on top, but I am so glad you participated ;)  Please email me with your address so you can enjoy a Sprinkles Cupcake....or several!

Thanks again everyone for participating!!

I must say, I have been overwhelmed with the response for this week and the giveaways, comments and entries I have received.  For you all to share what you are sharing is absolutely amazing and I want to thank each and everyone of you for it.

Today's giveaway is brought to you by my wonderful husband and business partner since after all, today is HIS birthday.  That's right, my man is one year older and gettin' better with age!  More on that later today for his special birthday post where I get to gush about how amazing he is.  That's right.  I'm going there.

Anyway, I decided to let him pick out the giveaway for today and what he picked put a smile on my face.  Maybe his choice was because he is my supplier of the fabulous goodie or perhaps it's because he really enjoys them too.  Either way, I loved his pick!!

So, for today's giveaway...a $15 Sprinkles Cupcakes gift card!!

How to win?  Here is the question you must answer...

"What is the strangest thing you like to eat or strangest eating habit you have?"

Comment below with your answer for a chance to win.  I'm hoping for some awesome and hilarious answers!!

You have until the end of today to comment.  The winner will be announced first thing tomorrow morning!!  Good luck!!

I spent the entire morning reading.  From the beginning, I said that I had to read every single comment.  And I did.  All 642 of them.  With tears in my eyes and a few smiles along the way, all 642 comments held their own signifigance and importance.

I would like to congratulate, Kristol Faucheux, who is the winner of a Project Life Kit from everyone's favorite scrapbooker, Becky Higgins.  Kristol, your story was such a touching one and the simplistic nature of the moment you wish you had really resignated with me.  Thank you so much for sharing with me.  Please be sure and email me with your address so we can get your PL Kit to you!

And thank you so much again for everyone who commented!  You truly have touched me in the sweetest way possible.

In my business, I am so blessed and honored to work with amazing and talented individuals.  When I heard that this next giveaway was going to be included, I squealed.  Yes, squealed.  Hopefully it was cute.  Not only is this individual wonderful in every way, but her product is something that has allowed others a great way to document their lives.

Who could I possibly be talking about?  None other than the uber fabulous, Miss Becky Higgins!!

And she has been gracious enough to join in our giveaway week to give one lucky person a free Project Life kit!  I'm sure I'm not the only squealing at this point.  Am I right?!

Alright, alright...let's get down to details.  So Miss Becky and her Project Life kit are huge advocates for documenting daily life and recording it.  Down to the most simple things. 

So...for your chance to win a free Project Life kit... 

"What day or moment in your life do you wish you had a picture of and why?"

 Leave a comment below with your answer.  You have until Friday, September 3rd at 9:00 AM!  Good luck!!

Then I met Alison.  A smile that is contagious, brown eyes that swallow you whole and legs for days.  Absolutely stunning.  While we waited for Christopher to arrive, she mentioned casually that she reads my blog.  That's it!  These people are perfection!

And then I shot this image...

And these two...

And these two... (Alison, I wish I could look half as gorgeous as you do while laughing)

And then I shot this one...

And this Abercrombie ad for the summer catalogue...

And this final one...

And you know what I realized?  Alison and Christopher, you truly are perfection.  In every sense of the word.  Thank you so much for spending time with me.  I so wish I could be there on the big day, but I know it will be absolutely fabulous.  And you two?  You two will be perfection.

CLAIRE!  Congratulations, Claire!  We loved your idea of being remarkable and the idea of turning something "ordinary into extraordinary".  Be sure and email us with your address so we can send you your book!!

Thanks again to all those who participated!!  Be sure and stay tuned for the rest of this week's giveaways!

There have been many books that have truly helped me in business and life.  Literature that is incredibly inspirational, creative and tought provoking.  The single most important one, that truly changed my outlook, would be none other than Purple Cow by Seth Godin.

A small book that packs a punch and truly makes you think. 

So, for today's giveaway...a copy of Seth Godin's Purple Cow!

How to win?  Well, a purple cow is a pretty rare and remarkable thing.  Which, in business, is something we all want to aspire to.  However, in life or business, I want to know...

What does "being remarkable" mean to you?

Leave your comment below and stay tuned!  The winner will be announced tomorrow morning!!

Millie, please email me with your address so we can get you your Starbuck's gift card!

Thanks to everyone who participated!  Stay tuned for tomorrow's giveaway at 1:00 PM Arizona time!!

Since we have so many fabulous giveaways and a week long of them, I thought I would start you all off with something relaxed.  And with it being Monday, we all need a little wake up I'm sure! 

Today's giveaway is....a $15 STARBUCKS gift card!!

Now, how to win. If you have been to this blog before, you might have read about my obsession with Sprinkles Cupcakes.  So, the first person to leave a comment below with the answer to the following question will win today's giveaway.

Are you ready....

How many flavors of cupcakes are there at Sprinkles?

Go, go, go!!

(winner will be announced at 7:00 PM Arizona time)

Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend!  Thank you so much again to those of you who have sent in your questions.  Without further ado...

Leslie asks...

Do you ever show your clients the back of your camera during a shoot or wedding?  If not, what do you say when they ask?

Awesome question, Leslie and I know that it varies between photographers. Me? I absolutely, positively show my clients a shot or two on the back of the camera.  Do they ever ask?  No. Probably because I give it up freely, but if I am excited about a shot I will definitely have them check it out as well.  I find that eases the fear of them thinking they may not look good (never the case) and it gets them excited about the rest of the shoot and the final product.  It only adds to the experience I think. I have nothing to hide so why not show them, you know? And my clients are pretty smart people. I'm pretty sure they understand that it is "straight out of camera" work and the final magic happens later. Then again, we are all striving for perfection straight out of the camera, right? ;) So, yes. Show them for sure!  Get them excited and pumped just the same as you are!

Kahlie asks...

What are your thoughts on WPPI and do you think it is a good investment?

Hi Kahlie!  I am a huge fan of WPPI and last year was actually my first year attending. I was a sponge and soaked up everything I could! The classes were fabulous and I truly walked away a better photographer and business owner having attended.  Seriously.  Aside from that, you truly do meet some of the best people in the industry and people who I still keep up with and follow.  If you can financially make it work, I would highly recommend it.  Be sure and attend classes, though!  Although you have late nights of attending parties and get together, be strict and make yourself go to them no matter what time of day.  There are amazing things to be learned from the people teaching them.  And keep me updated!  I would love to meet you there!!

Simon asks...

I know we all have people we look up to, but who are some of your "favorites"?

Oh man, there are several.  First one has got to be Mike Colon. That man just has it and I have watched him from the very beginning.  Susan Stripling is another one that I adore.  Her photography is perfection to the inth degree and I can only hope to one day be half as good as she is. Joe Buissink is seriously a legend and has done amazing things. I would love to take him out for coffee and soak in the awesomeness.  Jasmine Star for sure - she is smart when it comes to business and marketing. She has done a great job at standing out. And I really respect Jerry Ghionis. That man has talent and if you ever have an opportunity to hear him speak, take it. He breaks molds and doesn't care what people think which I adore as well.

Thank you SO much again, you guys, for feeling open enough to send your questions.  Maybe next week I should post questions that I have.  I do have lots! ;)  Happy Monday, ya'll!

To my other half...your constant support means everything to me.  Thank you for making me better and for making our life perfection.