Monday, November 30, 2009

Miss Brooklyn | Newborn

I loooove little babies- their tiny toes and hands and fingernails... so cute! I adore watching new parents coo and cuddle their little ones. Miss B is a lucky girl to have such loving parents!

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Friday, November 20, 2009

Christmas Gif

My Grandy passed along this Christmas morning tradition to Rachel and I. She and her siblings (she was one of 5) would wake up to open stockings, properly clothe themselves (Christmas attire has always consisted of dress clothes in this fam- gotta look good for all of those pictures!) and eat breakfast before they were allowed to see the tree and open presents. The kids would wake up and try to be the first to say "Christmas Gif" to someone else. Supposedly this is what slaves in the south once did because they weren't able to give gifts- it was their way of celebrating.


This year, NBP is offering a "Christmas Gif" to a deserving family.


You know someone. You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.


You know someone. I guarantee it.


I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography - $500 worth, to be exact. Whether it's canvas or albums, prints for Grandma, or a slideshow to watch over and over, it's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.


Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $250 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be?


The rules:


- You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)


- The nominee must reside in Illinois. Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.


- You must e-mail me the full story : Sarah@nbpstudio.com


The winner will be announced on Christmas Day - get nominating! I can't wait to read all of your entries!


Open your heart to someone this holiday season - and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.


With love,


Sarah (and Gigers!)


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Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Thankful...

In my tear to get coffee, fill up my gas tank and leave town yesterday, I managed to lose my debit card at the filling station. I have seen so many 60 Minutes episodes about identity theft, I don't need to be reminded of how lucky I am that some honest person picked my card up off the ground and called my bank instead of racking up a ridiculous bill on my bank account. I'm so thankful that person chose to ignore my flaky-ness and do the right thing!

And, what's a blog post without a photo? Another shot from my Jersey beach vacay-

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Monday, November 16, 2009

TRA Before and After

You don't have to ask me twice to proclaim my love for Totally Rad Actions. I have every set! They saved my workflow and allow me to be creative in post-processing. A few weeks ago, I submitted a recipe using Totally Rad Actions and Dirty Pictures (the fabbitty fab fab textures) to their website. In addition to being featured on the Recipe site, I wanted to share my photoshop culinary skills with my blog followers:

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Recipe:

Pro Retouch
Prettyizer @ 40%
Pross Crossessed #1 @ 20%
Boutwell Magic Glasses @ 60%
Dirty Pictures texture Starla Fontaine @ 55% set to Hard Light blending mode
Dirty Pictures texture Foxy Laurinda @ 68% set to Overlay blending mode
Burn Out @ 35%

Friday, November 6, 2009

Move Over Real Housewives of NJ...

the Chatham Chicks are in town! (Who needs the drama and fake boobs when you've got us?) Thanks to my fab cousins for taking shots of all three of us (normally, my head gets photoshopped in b/c I'm the one behind the camera!)

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One of the best shots of me. Oh cowl neck sweater...
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Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Crouse Fam | Bay Head, NJ

Part II of my trip to Jersey. Couldn't get enough of the beach!

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Monday, November 2, 2009

Bay Head, NJ

It was a wonderful, relaxing weekend with family in Bay Head, New Jersey. Even though it was "off season," weather on Saturday was a perfect 60 degrees and sunny. I had forgotten how much I love the east coast- being near the beach is so revitalizing- it's like rehab for my workaholic life!

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