Thursday, September 30, 2010

My new link button, hopefully

I have spent a good portion of the day returning emails to companies that I have already contacted regarding reviews and giveaways. So far, I have heard from Tommee Tippee and Tasty Baby noting that all things are a go and I will be able to host giveaways and reviews as soon as the items can get here :-) I also spent a while this week trying to determine how to make a button for my page so that other bloggers can link to me and so that I can post a button on my webpage. I now have it all set up. Do you like it? NOTE: This is a different grab-n-go than was featured earlier this week because I redid some of the layout stuff :)
I also made a little button for if I feature you and you want to link up to your article.


Monday, September 27, 2010

For future reference, how to enter my giveaways


Note: There is no current giveaways going on, but this is how they will work in the future.

Mandatory entry requirements:   Follow my blog publicly via Google Friend Connect AND find one product of your choice on the website of the giveaway sponsor and comment here to let me know what it is.

Once the mandatory entry has been completed you are eligible for extra entries.  Please leave a comment for each extra entry that you complete. 
You must post links to each of these items separately and with your email address to qualify.  If they are not separate you will only be getting one entry per post. Random.org will choose a number between 1 and the amount of comments received and that is how I will select the winner.


 ♥ Extra Entries ♥

Each bullet point is good for one extra entry at this time, at the time of an individual giveaway this may be worth more or less. 

  • Grab my button and leave the URL where it is posted. 
  • Follow me on Twitter and let me know your Twitter name.
  • Tweet this giveaway and leave the URL to your Tweet. Tweet must include: @shineshineblog, #giveaway, and the URL to the giveaway.  
  • Blog, post on a social network site, or message board about my giveaway and include a link back to my blog and to the sponsor website.  Leave URL where it is posted.  
  • Like Sunshine to Starshine on Facebook and leave me a comment there that you are participating in this giveaway.
  • Like the sponsor on Facebook and let them know Sunshine to Starshine sent you.  
  • Make a purchase at the sponsor's site.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Local Photographer Review: Happenstance Portraits

I want to give kudos to Karen Schlink from Happenstance Portraits.
We have had multiple photo sessions with her and have never had the slightest issue.

My initial session with Karen was when my daughter was a little less than one month old. She was teeny tiny, and tired all the time, but didn't want to sleep with a camera in her face! She made a big old mess and peed all over the couch while we were trying to get her in one of those cute bare butt newborn shots.. Karen was totally cool about it and didn't even flinch!

At 6 months we were having a hard time making our schedules coordinate for a session while I was working during the week. Karen went out of her way to schedule a later shoot and reschedule a dinner date for us! We went to a playground at a school nearby and had my teeter tottering little girl climb all over the jungle gym and show off her new threads!

When it came time for her 9 month photos, my brother in law was getting ready to be shipped to Hawaii with the Navy. In his honor I wanted to do some beachy photos, and even better we found a navy and white tunic with white leggings (with little gold anchors on them!) that would be perfect! Karen put up with my fussy almost naptime girly through a garden, a large park, and finally a very sandy beach. I am astonished at how good these pictures came out because Ariana was DONE by the first 5 minutes.

Our most recent shoot was at a public park that was occupied by quite a few of the neighborhood kids. They were not being very verbally nice and they also were not minding their own business. Some of them wanted to ask questions, but mostly they wanted to curse and fight (oh, the joys of city living). Karen made it easy to tune out the other people by putting some Disney music on her iPod and entertaining my daughter and I. We are anxiously awaiting the proofs :-)

Karen is personable, flexible and a wonderful photographer, plus she is great with my one year old!

Karen is based in South Eastern CT where I live, however I am sure she would travel to your wedding or special occasion. She also attended a fabulous photography school and can probably recommend photographers in your area if need be.

Website
Blog
Flickr




I write all of my reviews without any payment, and completely my own opinion. Thank you for taking the time to read this review and I hope it sheds light on my wonderful experience with Happenstance Portraits!

Some Daily Deals, and a look at my day

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_________________________________________

I spent today in a mad dash to complete 2 papers for the class I am taking right now. My mom and sister looked after my daughter, my husband is at work, and my brother in laws are hogging the living room tv to watch football. All in all my Lazy Sunday wasn't too lazy.. but it was alright. Now it's off to do a review of a favorite local photographer, then I must pick up the little one and get her in bedtime mode.

Hello, My name is Mama Sunshine..

Today is day one of my venture into blogging.

I want to start off by thanking you for stopping by. I appreciate every follower on my blog, and each comment will be answered. I am an online college student, stay at home, part time working mom to a beautiful little girl named Ariana. I live with my husband in a beautiful apartment overlooking a river in Connecticut. In addition to living with my husband and daughter, we financially uphold his entire family right now and allow them to live in our home for little or no rent. (It will be apparent later that this was not my idea).

I make crafty creations in my spare time- this includes paintings, hair bows, cards, and a little bit of everything under the sun. I run Kanga & Roo Krafty Kreations- this is not a very successful business, but I don't mind, it's more like a hobby. I will do my best not to spam about that stuff unless I am running a giveaway!

I am hoping to host reviews of Work At Home Mama's products, and giveaways to promote their items as well. In addition, I will blog about some of our day to day ventures, our favorite recipes, and make tutorials (or how not to do's when I mess up!) and share tips about great deals.

I have a little sass, a lot of love, and I am learning as I go in this crazy universe called mommyhood.

Mama Sunshine