give-away monday

So delighted to start off the week with an awesome give-away. Check this out.





It's a camera bag/purse hybrid for ladies who would like to carry their dSLRs with them on a day-to-day basis, or keep their camera discreet while traveling. Um, hello. Sign me up. I've been using mine for about a week and it's so perfect for my everyday on-the-go needs. I love that I can adjust the compartments (I'm such a compartmentalizer) to work for all my stuff.



Click here for the Jo Totes website.

So ... you want one, don't you? Most of you know the drill for entering yourself in a random drawing on my blog. Leave your first name, city, and state in the Comments. We will choose someone at random. The winner will get a bag of her color choice.

And here is something that everyone can get for free today:



Simply click on the gray "free CK Becky font" button on the right side of this blog. Or just CLICK HERE. You'll see my two fonts and a couple other fun ones too. Just click on the font and it will automatically download on your computer. Simple.

May your Monday be a terrific day. I will be posting every day this week, so see you again soon.

RAK & give-away winners

We all know what that stands for. Random Act of Kindness.

I am sharing this experience with you because there is a lesson in here for everyone.

I was at WalMart with the kiddos the other day. As you see in yesterday's post, I was in the market for cheap-slip-on-Crock-like shoes for Claire. Something that I don't mind if she destroys. Out of the blue Porter says, "Mom, let's get these for Little Abbie!" We call her "Little Abbie", by the way, because we also adore another Abbie friend who is 19. The age results in the "Big Abbie" nickname. Funny thing is that Big Abbie is totally petite.

Back to the shoe isle. In response to Porter I'm pretty sure the word "random" came out of my mouth. Because it was. Porter spotted some fun, pink shoes and randomly thought of our 10-year-old friend Abbie.



Random? For sure. Thoughtful? Absolutely.

"You know what, Porter? That's super nice and a super great idea. Let's do it."

The shoes were on clearance for $3, so I knew that even if Abbie didn't like them, it was not a big deal. I texted her mom to get her shoe size and the kids and I talked about how fun it will be to surprise for her. We gathered up a few treats at the store and then picked up a picture at home that Claire drew for Abbie earlier in the week. I guess she was on Claire's mind, too.

By the way, I have no idea why Abbie was on my kids' minds, but it didn't matter. I was totally game for playing along.

So we go by Abbie's house. Luckily she was home. With a twinkle in her eye, she seemed genuinely delighted to see my kids. They handed her a few goodies and with a big hug, we told her it was "Random-We-Love-Abbie-Day" and that was it.

The kids and I were on a high. What a fun experience! The shoes were pretty random but the lesson is this: My kids had an instinct. A specific friend was on their mind and they thought of something specific to do for her. Out of the blue. How many of us get an instinct like this? A feeling. A prompting. A fleeting thought. Call it what you want. But it happens to all of us. We get this idea to do something for someone, even if it's totally RANDOM. But how often do we ACT on that prompting with KINDNESS?

As we head into the weekend, I urge you to pay attention to the next little feeling you get that you should do something for someone. Whether you know them or not.

And then ... do it.

By the way, the whole pay-it-forward concept is in full force. Abbie's mom told me later that Abbie had been in a pouty mood. This little surprise turned things around. She was practically bouncing up & down, grinning ear to ear, immediately hung up the picture and wore the shoes.

The best part? She told her mom, "I want to celebrate random someone day." She is currently planning to surprise another kid. Someone whose name she doesn't even know.

As the old saying goes ... that's what it's all about.



---------------

Speaking of random ... a warm congratulations to our 2 randomly chosen winners from this week's give-away!

Renee in Williamsburg, Virginia won a copy of Pascale Wowak's photography book. Renee, email Pascale to claim your prize. [ pascale.w@sbcglobal.net ]

Kirsten in Columbus, Ohio won the [Shey B] camera strap slipcover. Kirsten, email [ customerservice@beckyhiggins.com ] and we'll send that to you.

Oh my. Just wait until you see next week's give-away. This was just getting you warmed up.

all good things must come to an end.

Sorry, Claire. It's time to bid farewell to your favorites.

What do you have in your home that probably needs to retire? Clear something away today. Get rid of unnecessary clutter. If it's sentimental, take a picture. Again, the beautiful thing about photography. So go on. Do it. Even just one thing. And then leave a comment and tell us what it was that you threw away, recycled, or donated.

Besides, it will make a great POTD for those of you taking daily pictures. Write a note about the sentimental value of the item(s).

ode to photography

Photo of me by Kevin Allgaier.
Digital frame found here.

Photography. The art of capturing a moment that results in an image. Our way of trying to visually freeze bits of time. I think most of us can say that we deem photography as a blessing. I know I do.

You don't have to be a well-trained professional to take a decent picture. I learned this a long time ago. I have had a few hits among many misses. I still flop in the technical department. But I truly love the act of taking a picture. I genuinely enjoy doing things with pictures (like framing them, scrapbooking them, and doing Project Life). And I think I'd be utterly lost if I didn't have a camera to aid in my quest to tell my family's story.

I know many of you feel the same way.

So today, I just want to express how grateful I am for this art form. I am grateful for the technology of digital photography. For the ability to turn an average shot into a magnificent image in a matter of seconds with digital editing. For iPhoto, which is where I organize all our photos (and it has great editing as well). I am grateful for amazing photographers who actually are professional and know what they're doing. I get so inspired by seeing others' work. Too many artists to get specific. I am grateful for Costco, which is where I print all of our pictures at a way affordable price.

I'm even grateful for Mrs. Blickenstaff ... wherever she is. She was my high school photography teacher. She gave me a D one semester. The only D that ever showed up on my report card and I still don't know why. But whatever. It was in high school that I started developing a little skill in the hobby.



I am grateful for my dad who instilled in me a love for taking pictures. He had a manual SLR for as long as I can remember. He turned our downstairs bathroom into a dark room from time to time and I still remember the smell of those developing chemicals, the negatives, the boxes of photo paper, and that vintage photo enlarger. My dad truly was my first photography teacher. He took awesome pictures of our family.



I am grateful for my parents, who gave me my first camera just in time for camp in 6th grade. A bubble-gum pink LeClick. I don't remember many other gifts that made me feel more elated than that 35mm point & shoot camera. And thank you to David (hubby) and Kevin (my brother) who were the ones to twist my arm in 2002. That was when we got our first dSLR. I was hesitant. I usually am with new technology.

Okay. I could go on. You get the picture (no pun intended), but I'll stop here. In celebration of photography ... I have a couple fun things to give away.

1. "The Valentine" camera strap cover by Shey [B]. I just got this for my camera and another one to give away.



2. This new book by Pascale Wowak. It's called Getting Started in the Photography Business - From Head to Toe and you can go here to check it out. The book offers insight for those interested in taking their hobby to the next level. Plus, dozens of gorgeous photographs.



If you want to save a little on a camera strap cover, go here and enter BECKYHIGGINS at checkout to receive 10% off your total purchase. This is good through March 19th.

If you want to get free shipping on Pascale's book, go here and enter the code WESHIP at checkout. This is good through March 22nd.

Leave a comment with your first name, city, and state. Tell me if you'd like the strap cover or the book. If you want, include your #1 favorite tip that has helped you to take better pictures. I'll randomly choose a couple winners this week.

3 words or less: part 2

I am answering another batch of 20 questions that you have asked. Sticking with my plan to answer each one in 3 words or less.

Q: What was the font you used for Claire's Pinkalicious party invitation?
A: GiddyUp

Q: I know you are from Maryland. How did you end up in Arizona?
A: Love my husband.

Q: What is your most dreaded everyday task? The thing you most dislike doing?
A: Cleaning the highchair.

Q: What type of camera do you use?
A: Nikon D90.

Q: Would you rather have 4 cats or 2 dogs as pets?
A. No. And no.

Q: Where's your favorite place to buy a cute dress?
A: I'm looking. Ideas?

Q: Do you have any laundry secrets?
A: Involve the kids.

Q: Will Project Life be back in stock?? i NEED it now!! ;-)
A: Re-printing now.

Q: What did you have for supper last night?
A: This salad.

Q: You had a post about cleaning your makeup brushes. What do you use to clean your brushes?
A: Mac brush cleanser.

Q: Do you plan to offer just the page protectors from project life as a separate purchase?
A: Yes.

Q: Do you make cards?
A: Super simple ones.

Q: Do you post the same things on facebook as you do on twitter?
A: I do.

Q: Are you recognized very often in public?
A: Don't think so.

Q: What is the name of the orange you painted your bathroom?
A: Behr brand: Fireglow

Q: What is your favorite blog/website for home decor inspiration?
A: HouseOfTurquoise.com

Q: Is it hard living so far from your parents?
A: Technology connects us.

Q: How do you deal with your stress?
A: Take a break.

Q: Where do you get your hair done?
A: My friend Brooke.

Q: What are you negative about? You always seems so positive. I figured there must be something that you get down about.
A: Taxes.

floral fest

My latest kick, as many of you know, is floral design. I'm relying on 3 things as I make an arrangement:

1. A little bit that I learned in a floral design class I took in college about 13 years ago. I know. How fun is that for a class?
2. The influence of other people's work (pretty arrangements I see).
3. My instincts.

This is purely for fun. For play. No pressure. While we were in Utah last week, I made a couple of arrangements for our friends that we stayed with.







Oh, and here's that one I made a couple weeks ago. I promised to show you the finished piece.



And getting started with that one.



I'm no floral design expert. This is purely a hobby. That said, here is what I've learned on the topic:

1. Never done this? Start with a small arrangement. I started gigantic because I was so excited, but that was hardly a warm-up. Still laughing that I did that. Start small.

2. You always need more flowers than you think.

3. Flowers aren't cheap. Buy them on sale. JoAnn, Michael's, Hobby Lobby ... these places always put their flowers on sale.

4. You can find amazing pots, etc. for really inexpensive (Home Goods, TJ Maxx, Marshall's, Ross, Target, WalMart ...)

5. To begin the arrangement, shove blocks of floral foam into your pot or container. Cut smaller pieces with a knife as needed. This can be messy but it's a necessary starting point. You want the foam firmly in place. Use some hot glue if necessary. Then start with your bigger flowers, working your way to the smallest flowers; "fillers" are very last.

6. Creating arrangements is a truly artistic experience.

7. Everyone needs a little floral arrangement in their home. You can totally do this.